Proteas crush Australia by an innings and 31 runs to set up Cape Town decider
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at Gqeberha, levelling the three-match series at 1-1. The deciding Test starts on Tuesday at Newlands in Cape Town.
From 110-6 to an innings win
The turnaround was sharp. South Africa slumped to 110-6 in their first innings after two rain-interrupted days, cricket.com.au reported. At that stage Australia looked on course for a 2-0 series lead.
Bavuma's 179 changed the match. South Africa declared on 425-9, with Scott Boland taking 5-81 for Australia. Australia were then dismissed for 99.
| Innings | Score | Top performers |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa 1st | 425-9 dec | Bavuma 179, Jansen 85; Boland 5-81 |
| Australia 1st | 99 | Jansen five wickets |
| Australia 2nd | 295 | Head 121; Rabada 4-77, Mulder 3-64 |
Day five: Head and Boland resist
Australia fought on the final day. Head made 121 off 190 balls, and nightwatchman Boland made 40 off 166 balls, his longest Test innings. Alex Carey finished 37 not out.
Mulder ended both of those stands. He brought one back into Head, who could only parry it onto his stumps. Later his off-cutter slipped through Boland's defence. He also dismissed captain Pat Cummins.
Steve Smith, demoted to No. 7, skied a catch that Matthew Breetzke held at the second attempt. Jansen then finished the match in the final session.
It is not just this Test. We are talking about the batting and a lack of options and performance. Something will change.
Pressure on Australia's batters
Australia coach Andrew McDonald was blunt about the first-innings collapse. "I can't defend that," he said of the 99 all out.
Marnus Labuschagne has now gone 47 innings without an international century, equalling the Australian record, BBC Sport reported. Opener Nic Maddinson made eight and nought in this match, after a duck in Durban.
What comes next in Cape Town
Australia won the first Test in Durban. South Africa made three changes for Gqeberha, and the momentum has now swung their way.
"It is hard to see how Maddinson will survive to Cape Town," Gillespie said. Matt Renshaw, who made 190 in the first Test, has opened before and could move back to the top.
