South Africa captain Temba Bavuma struck his Test-best score of 179 to put his side in a dominant position in the second Test against Australia, as they look to level the three-match series.
Bavuma's magnificent innings helped rescue the Proteas from a perilous 40-4, with Australia's bowlers on top during the first two rain-affected days in Gqeberha. Vital lower-order contributions from Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82) helped wrestle the match the home side's way. Harmer and Bavuma added a South African record 183-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Kagiso Rabada added to South Africa's advantage by striking with his fourth ball back from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since June, while Nic Maddinson poked an edge to third slip for his second duck in three innings since his Test return. Scott Boland finished with figures of 5-81.
Australia closed on 3-1, still trailing by 422 runs on the first innings. With much of the Test lost to wet weather, the hosts face a race against the clock over the final two days in their push for victory and a series-decider in Cape Town from October 27.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing