Bavuma century lifts South Africa to 318-7 at tea against Australia
Temba Bavuma was unbeaten on 125 after a record seventh-wicket stand with Marco Jansen helped South Africa recover on day three of the second Test.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was unbeaten on 125 as his side reached 318 for seven at tea on Tuesday, 20 October, the third day of the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. His fifth Test century helped South Africa recover from 97 for five at the start of the day and gave them a stronger position after two rain-affected days.
Bavuma and Jansen’s record stand
Bavuma and Marco Jansen added 132 for the seventh wicket. Jansen made 85 from 100 balls, while Bavuma remained at the crease after Jansen’s dismissal. Reuters reported that their partnership surpassed South Africa’s previous seventh-wicket Test record at St George’s Park: 89 against England in 1896.
The two reports differ on how long Bavuma took to reach three figures. Reuters put his century at 226 balls; ABC News Australia recorded it at 223. ABC’s live account described Bavuma pulling a short ball from Pat Cummins to the boundary to complete the hundred.
Simon Harmer was 30 not out alongside Bavuma at tea. Their partnership kept South Africa moving after Australia broke the Bavuma–Jansen stand, with the tea score marking a substantial recovery from the position in which South Africa began the day.
Australia’s wickets and the series position
Scott Boland took Jansen’s wicket in the first over with the second new ball. Reuters put Boland’s figures at five for 63, his third five-wicket haul in Tests and his first outside Australia. Despite South Africa’s recovery, his wickets had kept Australia in contention through the innings.
Earlier on Tuesday, Wiaan Mulder was out for 13 after ducking into a short ball from Mitchell Starc and gloving a catch to Matt Renshaw at slip. The dismissal was given after a review and brought Starc his 450th Test wicket, Reuters reported.
Only 43 overs had been bowled across the first two days because of rain, leaving South Africa at 97 for five when play resumed. Bavuma and Jansen’s stand therefore changed the course of an innings that had been interrupted and under pressure before day three.
Australia entered the Gqeberha Test ahead in the three-match series after winning the opener in Durban by 214 runs. The 318-for-seven score describes South Africa’s position at tea; ABC’s live updates show that play continued afterwards.
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Sources and context
- Bavuma ton helps South Africa reach 318-7 at tea v AustraliaReuters, republished by Channel NewsAsia
- Live: South Africa skipper reaches ton after Boland snares his fifthABC News Australia
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.