South African captain Temba Bavuma ended a protracted await a second Test century and took his group to a robust place on the third day of the second Test towards West Indies on the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
Bavuma made a battling, and at instances punchy, 171 not out in a South African second innings complete of 287 for seven, an general lead of 356.
It was an emotional second for Bavuma when he hit Alzarri Joseph over cowl for his 14th boundary to achieve his hundred, greater than seven years after he made his first Test century.
He took off his helmet, leaped within the air and brandished his bat in a salute as a small crowd rose to present him a standing ovation.
The South African captain went on to play with freedom. After reaching three figures off 192 balls, he went on to 171 off 275 deliveries. He hit 20 fours.
Bavuma, 32, made his first hundred in his seventh Test and his eighth Test innings in a high-scoring draw towards England at Newlands in Cape Town in January 2016.
Since then he had performed in one other 48 Tests and batted in 88 extra innings with out repeating the feat regardless of hitting 19 half-centuries.
South Africa’s most dependable batter over the previous two years, Bavuma was appointed captain earlier than the primary Test towards West Indies – and was out for a ‘pair’.
He got here in on Friday along with his group in bother at eight for 2.
It was a protracted wrestle as he gathered a 107-ball half-century whereas companions struggled and succumbed towards good-quality West Indian bowling.
They had been 103 for 5, a precarious 172 runs forward, when Bavuma was joined by Wiaan Mulder, considered one of a number of South African batters but to show themselves on the high stage.
Rabada concern
By Tea, South Africa had scored solely 145 for 5 off 59 overs however the tempo modified when Mulder hit three fours off Kemar Roach within the second over after the interval.
Mulder made 42 in a 103-run partnership which accelerated additional after Bavuma reached his century.
Mulder holed out to deep square-leg however by then South Africa was able of relative security. Twenty-one overs between Tea and the taking of the second new ball yielded 98 runs for the lack of Mulder’s wicket.
Simon Harmer joined Bavuma in one other productive partnership, making 19 whereas Bavuma scored freely because the pair added 71 for the seventh wicket.
Harmer fell late within the day, leg-before to a Jason Holder supply that shot by low and hit him beneath the knee roll.
It was the primary inkling that the pitch, which has not posed any nice issues, could also be a unique beast within the fourth innings.
South Africa is looking for as huge a lead as doable, nonetheless, as there may be concern in regards to the health of Kagiso Rabada, considered one of solely two quick bowlers picked by the host.
Rabada bowled beautifully within the first innings, taking two for 19 in 12 overs, however didn’t bowl after Tea on the second afternoon and was reportedly affected by a sore again.
There has been no official affirmation of an harm however Bavuma can be glad to have the additional runs to play with as he makes an attempt to guide South Africa to a 2-0 collection win.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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