Key events
That’s it from us today. And what a day of Test cricket it’s been, especially if you’re South African. A majestic, controlled, battling 179 from skipper Bavuma with a couple of 80s down the order from Jansen and Harmer have set this up for the home team. They still need 19 wickets having removed Maddinson in the first over of Australia’s reply.
We’ll be back nice and early to bring you all the action. Catch you then.
Here’s Temba Bavuma:
It’s definitely one of my better ones. Looking at the situation of the game, I’ve found myself in this situations quite a lot and have managed to scramble myself to 50 or 60, so I’m really happy I could go on.
That bowling attack, all four or at least three of them are in the top 10 of the ICC ranking. We got a taste of it in the first Test. For me, not contributing in the first Test was a big thing on my mind. I was glad I was able to put in a good contribution for the team.
I just haven’t had any rhythm. I struggled with rhythm in the ODI series and through the first Test. It can be tricky when you haven’t played for months. So I’ve been going to the nets trying to find that feeling.
I’ve tried to emulate my technique to Sachin Tendulkar. I’m not a big guy, so i try to play the ball as close to my body as possible.
[Rickelton] helped us get momentum then [Jansen] threw some punches and [Harmer] showed application and was unlucly not to get to three figures. Our batters have done the job now our bowlers need to.
There were thoughts about declaring early. I was hesitant because of the weather. We got the one wicket we wanted and if we’re set to be on the field for the majority of the match. There are a lot of things to consider. You want to get yourself in position to win the game and we’ve given ourselves a chance. Going into Cape Town with whatever confidence we can take, and keeping their bowlers on their feet, will play a part.
We’ve missed KG and those early wickets. He’s raring to go. Hopefully tomorrow is his day.
The pitch is a tough pitch. You don’t always feel like you’re in. I never really felt in.
Stumps, Australia 3-1, trail by 422
That’ll be that. South Africa’s day, to state the obvious. A stunning innings from Bavuma worth 175 was helped by contributions of 85 and 82 from Jansen and Harmer respectively. When Bavuma nicked off Starc, the light was fading rapdily which prompted the declaration on 425-9. Rabada, back from a hamstring injury, picked up an inevitable wicket with his fourth ball, finding the edge of Maddinson’s tame prod. Boland the nightwatchman helped Head see things out to the close. They’ll have a big job tomorrow morning against the fresh SA quicks.
4th over: Australia 3-1 (Head 1, Boland 2) Harmer gives it some air and Boland presses forward and drives down the ground, almost getting four but for Jansen’s intervention keeping it to two. Otherwise it’s tidy from both batter and bowler. What a shame we can’t see the quicks with the new ball, though the Aussies won’t mind.
3rd over: Australia 1-1 (Head 1, Boland 0) Markram bowls a maiden to Head who is eager to cut him off the back foot. He pings one from deep in his crease, but the diving fielder in the covers does the business.
Markram will bowl this over, replacing Rabada. SA trying to eke out as many overs as they can before the close.
2nd over: Australia 1-1 (Head 1, Boland 0) Head scoots a single off his pads off the first ball of Harmer’s over. Boland takes an age between deliveries, adjusting his pads and gloves, but he survives the set as four catchers hover around him.
Harmer will be taking the new ball from the other end.
That is a consequence of the bad light and an instruction from the umpire. Maybe this is the last over of the day
1st over: Australia 0-1 (Head 0, Boland 0) A wicket maiden on return for Rabada. He’s some bowler. That was pretty poor from Maddinson who will know he should have left that alone. But a scrambled mind and weary legs after spending a day and a bit in the dirt will do that to an opener.
Correction, there are six slips and a man catching at forward short leg. Good luck Scotty.
Scotty Boland is sent out as nightwatchman. He has five tightly bunched slips hovering in place.
WICKET! Maddinson c Harmer b Rabada 0 (Australia 0-1)
KG needs four balls and he’s off the mark! Angled across Maddinson who barely moves his tired feet and hangs the bat out. It takes a thick edge and flies at a comfortable height to Harmer who is not dropping that with his bucket hands. South Africa are up and running!
The South Africans are out, as are the Australian openers.
There is no worse time to take guard than in the fading light having spent more than a day in the field.
To make matters worse, Kagiso Rabada has the new rock in his hands. Eleven overs to play.
South Africa declare on 425-9
Bavuma’s wicket prompts the declaration. Rabada and Nortje won’t have to bat. Instead they’ll have a few overs to let rip at the Australians in the fading light. A couple of wickets before the close and the home team will be over the moon.
WICKET! Bavuma c Carey b Starc 179 (South Africa 425-9)
One brings two and the skipper’s marathon ends! Starc from round the wicket hits a great length and finds a litrle zip off the surface. That looked like a tired prod from Temba who dangles the bat away from his body. The smallest of tickles is well caught by Carey behind the stumps. What a staggeringly good knock that was. From 12-2 to 40-4 to 110-6, he’s dragged his nation to something hefty.
No declaration. Rabada strides out. Nortje has kept his pads and helmet on as well.
WICKET! Harmer b Labuschagne 82 (South Africa 425-8)
No hundred for Harmer who goes down swinging! Full and flighted from Marnus, Harmer goes to a bent knee as he tries to slow sweep this into the ocean. Just lifts his head at the last moment and misses. The death rattle behind him confirms the end of his innings, but what an innings it has been. His highest Test score and a mighty fine contribution in South Africa’s highest ever eighth-wicket stand.
127th over: South Africa 425-8 (Bavuma 179, Rabada 0)
126th over: South Africa 420-7 (Bavuma 175, Harmer 81) Bavuma stands tall, well, tall-ish, and swats Webster with a cross-bat through midwicket for four. That takes him to his highest ever Test score, eclipsing the 172 he registered against the West Indies in 2023. Harmer swishes at one on his legs, showing he’s keen to get a move on, but only manages a single down to square leg.
Maybe the plan is to bat once. Right now the follow-on score would be 220. Not inconceivable that SA win this by an innings. Something would have to dramatically change under the surface of the pitch for that to happen I feel.
125th over: South Africa 413-7 (Bavuma 169, Harmer 80) Harmer is racing towards his hundred. A rank long-hop from Maddinson barely rises above knee height, but Harmer stoops low and nails a half sweep, half pull for four. He should have sent another drag down to the boundary, but picks out the sweeper down at deep point.
Just on the declaration. I wonder if Bavuma has told Harmer to get a move on and get to that ton. It would be so cruel if the captain pulls the plug on him.
124th over: South Africa 406-7 (Bavuma 167, Harmer 75) The plan is obvious now. After dabbing meekly away from his body and missing Webster, Harmer is summoned for a consultation with Bavuma. Whatever was said prompted Harmer to walk across his stumps and slog Webster down the ground. That’s come from nowhere. He doesn’t reach the boundary as the ball plugs down at long-on, but the intent is clear. Harmer will be considering his own ton, though, especially after slashing a wide ball for four earlier in the over.
123rd over: South Africa 399-7 (Bavuma 166, Harmer 69) This is now the highest eighth-wicket partnership for South Africa. A tremendous effort from these two worth 157.
Renshaw into the attack bowls some proper dross that Harmer hammers for four wide of long-on with a heaving pull. He then cuts behind square for two more before the pair exchange singles.
122nd over: South Africa 390-7 (Bavuma 164, Harmer 62) Hazlewood drags down and Harmer is into position in a flash. He doesn’t get all of it with a pull, but he muscles it over the leaping man at midwicket as it scampers away for four. South Africa now have as many as Australia managed in the first innings in Durban.
121st over: South Africa 385-7 (Bavuma 163, Harmer 58) Marnus into the attack! He’s bowling leggies and mixing up his pace. A floater and a half tracker to Harmer to close out a set that went for just three runs before that. But Harmer’s plinked drive and his off-balanced cut shot can’t find a gap in the ring so no damage.
120th over: South Africa 382-7 (Bavuma 160, Harmer 58) Hazlewood thwacks Harmer’s pad with a nip-backer. He considers a review but thinks better of it. Just as well as replays show it was going over the top. Harmer then steers a three behind point before Bavuma gets an immediate single. The pitch is playing really well. Predictable bounce and no real menace off the surface.
119th over: South Africa 378-7 (Bavuma 159, Harmer 55) Maddinson into the attack. Might as well. Two singles off the first over after drinks.
118th over: South Africa 376-7 (Bavuma 158, Harmer 54) Hazlewood returns. He hasn’t looked sharp. Then again, he is recovering from food poisoning. This over is OK. Back of a length, tight line, the things you expect from the metronome. Four runs off it. And time for drinks. Bavuma takes off his gloves and leaves them behind with his bat. He’s not declaring yet.
117th over: South Africa 372-7 (Bavuma 157, Harmer 51) On they go. Just one run off this Webster over that offered a little something off the surface. One spat up at Bavuma but his soft hands means it remains harmless.
Geoff Wingall writes in:
Hello Daniel,
I can understand your enthusiasm for a declaration with only two and a bit days remaining, but I can’t see it happening unless the follow on target is at least 200, preferably 250 if that’s achievable.
And if it’s to be a draw, then why not put more miles into the legs of the Aussie bowlers before the 3rd Test – especially with one of them already struggling?
It’s a good point, re the follow on score. I just want to see a result. If this was a four or five Test series I’d agree. Or if the first Test was drawn. But this SA team has a chance of winning the series, though they need the overs to get 20 Aussie wickets.
116th over: South Africa 371-7 (Bavuma 157, Harmer 50) Boland drops short and Harmer gets a whole lot of wood on it to pull him a dozen rows back over square leg. That shot takes him to 49, his highest Test score. He desperatrely wants his 50 and almost gets there with a sweet flick off his pads that doesn’t beat midwicket. He gets there off the last ball of the over with a little tickle off his hip. Well batted Simon Harmer, a half century in front of his home fans. Does that bring us closer to a declaration?
115th over: South Africa 363-7 (Bavuma 156, Harmer 43) A maiden from Webster to Harmer, who is eyeing up his first Test half century. His highest score is 47 against Australia. Perhaps that’s what they’re waiting for. They’re in no rush if so.
114th over: South Africa 363-7 (Bavuma 156, Harmer 43) Boland replaces Cummins. Just a pair of singles off that set. Tellingly both Rabada and Nortje still have their pads on. I’d rather see them stretching to let rip at the Australian openers in this gloom. But Bavuma and Conrad have other plans.
27 overs remain. The clouds are gathering. Temba, send the Aussies in!
113th over: South Africa 361-7 (Bavuma 155, Harmer 42) Webster’s first ball is a ‘hit-me’ long hop and Bavuma duly does, leaning back and cracking it well in front of square for four. Big Beau tightens up so Bavuma is watchful until the last ball when he bunts a single down the ground to keep the strike.
150 for Bavuma!
Just sublime. What a sensational knock this has been. Truly, one of the greatest innings by a South African skipper. He got to 149 with a scything cut for four off Cummins anf then reached another milestone with a bunted single into the covers.
112th over: South Africa 356-7 (Bavuma 150, Harmer 42)
111th over: South Africa 351-7 (Bavuma 145, Harmer 42) They keep ticking along. Two singles off this Webster over.
110th over: South Africa 349-7 (Bavuma 144, Harmer 41) The lights are on. Cummins hammers in a bumper that Harmer takes on. It arcs towards the fielder at a wide fine-leg but falls teasingly short. There’s an umpire’s review for a direct hit run-out after Renshaw shot down the stumps, but Harmer’s dive means he’s back safe for a second. Cummins digs in another bounce that Harmer swivels for a single.
What a shame we’ve lost so much time due to the rain across the first two days. I fear we might not get enough time for a result. But Test cricket does move fast. I think the only chance of something materialising is a declaration from the Saffas sooner rather than later.
109th over: South Africa 343-7 (Bavuma 142, Harmer 37) 100-run partnership between these two. What a turnaround. They were 110-6. Renshaw is flighting it up and to me it looks like Bavuma has lost his timing. A full blooded drive just about reached the man at cover. He’ll keep strike after collecting the third single of the over off the last ball.
108th over: South Africa 340-7 (Bavuma 140, Harmer 36) Things are in a bit of a holding pattern for now. Neither side really taking the game on. Cummins is banging in bouncers that harmer is ducking. Are they waiting for Bavuma to reach his 150? Just two runs off that over. When do they pull the trigger? Sure, it’s not a monster score, but they’ll want to get to the Aussie batters before the close.
107th over: South Africa 338-7 (Bavuma 139, Harmer 35) Renshaw into the attack, which is a good move from the Aussies. If the South Africans are going to look to be aggressive, the slower pace of Renshaw could create a bit of chaos. They’re watchful though across this over, showing respect as they settle on three singles.
106th over: South Africa 335-7 (Bavuma 138, Harmer 33) Bavuma throws his hands at a pull shot to Starc and misses. The he almost flings himself out of his boots as he throws his hands and the rest of his body at a full ball and misses. He finally makes contact with a plinked lofted drive, the bat turning in his hand, as it balloons over cover for two. There’s the intent from the captain. He holds his shape off the last ball as he eases a gorgeous drive down the ground for four. I predict an exciting half hour coming up.
And while there’s a break between overs, take a read of this great piece from Taha:
105th over: South Africa 329-7 (Bavuma 132, Harmer 33) Boland is full to both batters, inviting the drive. After a pushed single to mid-on from Bavuma, Harmer finds the middle of his bat with a sweetly struck off-drive, but the fielder didn’t have to move. Not much zip off the surface. Looking a little benign to be honest. Calm before the storm?
104th over: South Africa 328-7 (Bavu,a 131, Harmer 33) They’re running well between the wickets. But that over is worth just three, including a leg-bye. A full toss from Starc is met by a cautious prod from Bavuma who pings it to the fielder at deep point.
103rd over: South Africa 325-7 (Bavuma 129, Harmer 33) Seven runs off that Boland over, all run. A three that was dinked off the pads by Harmer to go along with a clipped two from Bavuma and a pair of singles. This partnership is now wroth 83. Some fightback from the Saffas.
102nd over: South Africa 318-7 (Bavuma 125, Harmer 30) A maiden from Starc, round the wicket, looking to bang a length at Harmer, to start the session.
The players are back out. Do the South Africans look to press the accelerator and biff their way to a declaration? Of course a draw keeps the series alive for Cape Town, but they need a victory here if they want to win the whole thing.
And this is a pitch that has favoured the new ball. If Australia are two or three down before the close that could set things up nicely.
But that’ll all come out in the wash. Starc to get us going again.
Tea! South Africa 318-7 (Bavuma 125, Harmer 30)
An eventful last over before the break. Carey thought he’d pulled off a stunning leg side stumping to dislodge Bavuma off the bowling of Webster, but the SA captain’s back foot shot back down before the bails were removed.
Excellence from Bavuma who has been well supported by a swashbuckling Jansen and a resolute Harmer.
Back after the break.
100th over: South Africa 318-7 (Bavuma 125, Harmer 30) Another drag down from Hazlewood, another crunching pull from Harmer who climbs into this tame half-tracker and hits it well in front of the sweeper square of the wicket. Lovely shot. The Aussies look flat. This tea break can’t come soon enough.
99th over: South Africa 313-7 (Bavuma 124, Harmer 26) Less than 10 minutes to the tea break. These Saffas won’t want to lose their wicket now. Just the one run off that Webster over.
Steve Smith is receiving treatment on his finger. The camera has cut to him getting some heavy strapping. So the finger is not broken, or if it is he’s soldiering on.
98th over: South Africa 312-7 (Bavuma 123, Harmer 26) Hazlewood returns but he looks a shadow of what he was in Durban. His first ball back is a yuck half tracker that Harmer swats in front of square for four. A few balls later Bavuma is on strike and gets a thick edge that is dropped by Smith! It was a tough chance that dropped in front of him, but that is definitely a drop and he’s off the park as his finger needs attention. Could be bad news for him when he has to bat!
97th over: South Africa 306-7 (Bavuma 122, Harmer 21) Webster over pitches and Bavuma leans forward and plays a textbook perfect on drive. Phew, that should come with a parental warning sticker. That stroke also brings up the 300, a milestone that looked incomprehensible at the start of the day. But Bavuma’s not done. Another half volley, this one on his pads, is clipped through midwicket for four more.
96th over: South Africa 298-7 (Bavuma 114, Harmer 21) Cummins has found some extra zip. Perhaps a consequence of his frustrations that this South African lower order has produced the goods. His first ball is a sharp bouncer that lifts off a tricky length and has Bavuma leaping and fending without any control. Then he hits the back of Harmer’s helmet; the batter ducking and turning his head away at the last second. The four leg-byes will only irritate the Aussie skipper. After some attention from the physio, Harmer flicks Cummins through midwicket for four more. That’s a proper cricket shot and another productive over for the home side.
95th over: South Africa 289-7 (Bavuma 113, Harmer 17) A tidy over from Webster who could have had the wicket of Bavuma, if only the thick inside edge onto the back thigh was held by Carey up to the stumps. Webster thought it was lbw, and they burned a review finding out. A single to Bavuma means he’ll be on strike for the next set. Starting to wonder now what the plan is for the home side. Just bat to tea and have a think?
They’re reviewing for lbw against Bavuma. They don’t look confident. Carey, up to the stumps, isn’t sure. But worth a punt I guess, especially as Webster was certain.
Ooooh, unless there’s an inside edge this could be close.
But there is a thick inside edge. Which means, that is technically a dropped catch from Carey! But it was a half chance at best.
94th over: South Africa 288-7 (Bavuma 112, Harmer 17) Maiden from Cummins to Harmer. I wonder if this little period raises the case for Lyon’s selection. Webster, Renshaw and Maddinson have been used as support acts, but with Hazlewood unwell (which of course they couldn’t have planned for) the lack of a proper spinner has been telling. Just a thought.
93rd over: South Africa 288-7 (Bavuma 112, Harmer 17) Big Beau Webster into the attack – SA won’t mind that – and his first delivery is a tame throw down that Bavuma leans into and drives for four through the covers. When Webster drags his length back a touch there is some movement off the pitch. Another thing the South Africans, especially their bowlers, won’t mind.
92nd over: South Africa 284-7 (Bavuma 108, Harmer 17) A flick through midwicket adds two more to Bavuma’s tally. Cummins dangles a couple of tempters outside the off stump that Bavuma lets go, bringing a smile to Cummins’ face. Cummins closes the set by going wide of the crease to create a new angle, but a thick inside edge sees it bobble down to fine leg for a single.
91st over: South Africa 281-7 (Bavuma 105, Harmer 17) Hazlewood finds the thick edge of Harmer’s prodding bat with a back of a length banger, but it flies between second and fourth slip and trickles away for four. You want to scream as a bowler when that happens. This eighth wicket stand now worth 39.
