The Proteas made major inroads, picking up the big wickets of centurion Travis Head to fall for a fighting 121 off 190 balls (15x4) and the experienced Steve Smith, but nightwatchman Scott Boland incredibly continued to defy the hosts bowling attack as Australia reached tea on 253/6 in their second innings on day five of the second test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Thursday.
The Aussies still have it all to do, needing 73 to make the Proteas bat again, but have given themselves a sliver of hope of forcing a draw, thanks to the amazing rearguard effort of Boland, who remains unbeaten on 40 off 154 balls.
The fighting tailender will resume in the final session of the match with Alex Carey (12no) at the crease, and they will look to continue building on their unbeaten 28-run seventh wicket stand, and take the game as deep as possible.
Earlier, after the whole morning session was washed out thanks to drizzle, the teams took an early lunch and play was finally able to get under way at 12pm.
Australia resumed their second innings on 156/4, still needing 170 more runs to make the Proteas bat again, with opener Head unbeaten on 87 and Boland on two, and they immediately dug in while extending their fifth wicket stand.
Head eased his way to his 13th test century, while sharing in a 59-run partnership with Boland, before Wiaan Mulder got the massive breakthrough, cramping Head with a short ball that he ended up deflecting onto his own stumps, leaving them on 209/5.
Despite battling a neck injury from the first innings, Smith (3) came in next, but it looked like he wasn’t comfortable at all during his 20-ball stay and shortly after the new ball was taken he played an uncharacteristic shot in the circumstances.
He tried to pull a short and wide ball from Kagiso Rabada that could have easily been left, and only ended up skying it in the swirling wind to Matthew Breetzke at midwicket who took the catch after a juggle, which saw them slip to 225/6.
Carey was in next and along with Boland they eased their side to tea without further trouble, and will look to continue the rescue effort in the final session.
Earlier in the rain hit match the Proteas scored 425/9 declared batting first, thanks to captain Temba Bavuma (179), Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82), before skittling the Aussies for 99 in their first innings, with Jansen picking up 5/33, and enforced the follow on due to the massive 326 run deficit.
PROTEAS: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood
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