South Africa completed a famous win over Australia on the final day of the second Test, breaking the tourists’ last-day resistance to win by an innings and 31 runs and level the series ahead of a decider in Cape Town.
South Africa celebrate the series-levelling win (Credits: BBC Sport)
Travis Head 121 And Scott Boland’s Blockade Almost Saved Australia
South Africa needed six wickets on the last day, and the task looked far from simple. Travis Head stood tall with a fighting 121, while Scott Boland survived an incredible 166 deliveries for 40 runs in a stonewalling effort to escape Gqeberha with a draw. The tourists’ hopes were further boosted when rain wiped out the entire first session.
But the Proteas stuck to their task and took the wickets they needed as the light faded late on the final day, dismissing Australia for 295 in their second innings.
Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen And Wiaan Mulder Star For South Africa
Premier paceman Kagiso Rabada finished with 4-77, while Marco Jansen — whose 5-33 on day four put South Africa in the ascendancy — took the final wicket. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder also played a crucial hand, dismissing Head, Boland and Australia captain Pat Cummins with accurate bowling and movement off the pitch.
The foundation was captain Temba Bavuma’s epic 179, with Jansen adding 85 as South Africa posted 425-9 declared. The Proteas had been heavily beaten in the first Test in Durban and were 40-4 and 110-6 in their first innings here — this ranks among South Africa’s great Test wins against Australia, alongside the World Test Championship final triumph and the famous 2018 Gqeberha Test.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
