Proteas captain Temba Bavuma scored a crucial 171* to help his side take a lead of 356 on Day 3 of the 2nd Test against the West Indies. | ✍️ Khalid Mohidin from the Wanderers.
It was a difficult start for the Proteas in their second innings. Despite surviving three overs at the end of Day 2, the top order capitulated in the first session of Day 3.
Dean Elgar (5) was the first to go, guiding the ball to Roston Chase at gully, which saw SA one down for six runs. Kyle Mayers picking up the wicket.
The next was Tony de Zorzi (1) who found himself caught in two minds and chopped the ball onto the stumps, Mayers picking up his second.
Then came the big wicket of the in-form man, Aiden Markram (18), he was forced to play at a perfect length delivery and edged Kemar Roach to the keeper Joshua da Silva.
There was a big task on hand for captain Temba Bavuma, who looked calm and collected at the crease. The key was for him to find a partner that could stick around with him and build a partnership.
Unfortunately, Ryan Rickelton was not that man, he lost his wicket on the stroke of lunch, and Raymon Reifer’s patience was key to him forcing the wicket. His consistency of getting the ball to move away slightly off the pitch drew Rickelton in to drive. The slow pace of around the 120km/h mark was enticing and the batter fell for it, edging behind for 10.
South Africa was 69/4 at Lunch, leading by 138 with Bavuma not out on 35.
After the Lunch break, Bavuma and Heinrich Klaasen took the Proteas past the 100-run mark. What made the partnership even more valuable is that Bavuma found a partner to help him reach a crucial half-century.
The captain took 107 balls to reach his 21st half-century with six fours to his name, stepping up when it was most needed for his team.
Klaasen’s time at the crease was cut short. Elzarri Joseph banged in a short delivery outside off and Klaasen went for the pull. He top-edged it and Joshua Da Silva ran to his left to get under it and took a crucial catch.
South Africa was reduced to 103-5.
Wiaan Mulder and Bavuma started to build a much-needed partnership and at Tea, the pair were on 41 not out. They ended the second session on 144/5 with a lead of 213.
History was made after Tea. The moment South African fans have been waiting for 2619 days – a second Test century for the captain.
The 2 January 2016, Bavuma scored his first-ever century against England. Now 8 March 2023, 7 years later, he scored his second at his home ground, to a roar in the crowd at the Bullring.
He reached his 100 in 192 balls (12 fours) in style, cutting a wide delivery over cover in the 67th over. He finished the over with a pull shot for four, taking his team to 191/5 and a lead of 260.
Mulder must get praise for the way he supported his captain in a 103-run stand, but sadly he lost his wicket eight runs short of what would have been a deserved half-century. He went out for 42 off 71 balls (8 fours).
South Africa was reduced to 206/5 after the fall of Mulder’s wicket.
Bavuma continued to contribute to the lead with the help of Simon Harmer. They brought up their 50-run partnership in 99 balls and then Bavuma reached another milestone – 150 in 254 balls having spent 333 minutes at the crease.
The Proteas got themselves to a lead of 346 when Harmer lost his wicket lbw to Jason Holder.
Bavuma finished the day on 171* off 275 balls that included 20 fours. South Africa finished on 287/7 in 93 overs with a lead of 356.
