South Africa crush Australia by an innings in Gqeberha to level Test series
South Africa bowled Australia out for 295 in the final session of the second Test to win by an innings and 31 runs and level the three-match series at 1-1.
At a glance
- South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at St George's Park, Gqeberha.
- Temba Bavuma's 179 helped South Africa declare on 425-9 after Australia were bowled out for 99.
- The series is level at 1-1, with the final Test starting at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.
South Africa bowled Australia out for 295 in the last session of the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Thursday, winning by an innings and 31 runs to level the three-match series at 1-1 with one match left to play.
The hosts' pace trio of Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen took the last four wickets as Australia's resistance crumbled, after a century from Travis Head and a defiant Test-best 40 from nightwatchman Scott Boland.
Mulder, who had earlier dismissed Head, bowled Boland and then Australia captain Pat Cummins. Rabada removed Mitchell Starc, and Jansen ended the innings when Josh Hazlewood was caught in the slips.
Bavuma's 179 turns the match
A result had looked unlikely when most of the first two days were washed out. South Africa were 110-6 when the sun came out on the morning of the third day, having lost the opening Test of the series.
Captain Temba Bavuma then made 179 to lead a fightback, South Africa declaring on 425-9 before bowling Australia out for 99 to put them back in to bat.
Head and Boland resumed on 156-4 in the second innings after rain wiped out the morning session. Head, 87 overnight, went on to make 121 before chopping a rising Mulder delivery onto his stumps. It was his 13th Test century but only his second outside Australia, and it came after almost 90 minutes in which the home attack toiled without success.
"We were scrambling a bit, not sure about the weather and Australia made us work hard for those last six wickets," Bavuma said.
Steve Smith, who battled a neck problem in the first innings, made three, caught by Matthew Breetzke at mid-wicket off Rabada with the second new ball. Boland, who faced 166 balls, was bowled through the gate after tea, and Cummins (4) was clean bowled in Mulder's next over.
Rabada returned for a fresh spell as dark clouds gathered and immediately bowled Starc (11), leaving one wicket to get. Jansen took it when Hazlewood nicked behind first ball. Alex Carey finished 37 not out, with Rabada taking 4-77 on his return from a lengthy injury layoff and Mulder 3-64.
"I thought we showed some good fight, but it wasn't quite enough. We were a long way from our best," Cummins said.
The final Test at Newlands in Cape Town starts on Tuesday.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Who won the second Test between South Africa and Australia?
- South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs at St George's Park in Gqeberha, bowling Australia out for 295 in the final session of the match.
- What is the state of the series?
- The three-match series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the first Test. The final Test at Newlands in Cape Town starts on Tuesday.
- How did Travis Head and Temba Bavuma perform?
- Head made 121, his 13th Test century and only his second outside Australia, while South Africa captain Bavuma scored 179 to set up the hosts' declaration on 425-9.
