Proteas stay in the hunt against Australia in Test final
At the close of play on day two, Australia had reached 144/8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead
Proteas players celebrate a wicket during day two of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images
South Africa are still in the hunt after a thrilling second day of the World Test Championship final against Australia in London yesterday.
They have a lot of work to do today to secure the trophy, but the Proteas will be buoyed by their impressive performance with the ball thus far, as their batters prepare for the hard-fought effort that will be required to lift the trophy.
With 14 wickets having fallen on day one, another 14 tumbled on day two in a low-scoring clash, as the bowlers from both sides remained locked in battle.
At the close of play, Australia had reached 144/8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead with three days remaining.
Taking a 74-run lead into their second innings, Australia were torn apart, with only middle-order batter Alex Carey able to put up a fight, hitting a relatively quick 43 runs off 50 balls.
Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada had taken 3/44, after grabbing five wickets in Australia's first innings, and he was well supported by seamer Lungi Ngidi (3/35).
Proteas first innings
Earlier, after resuming their first innings at 43/4, still trailing by 169 runs, the Proteas line-up fell apart and were ultimately dismantled for just 138.
Middle-order batter David Bedhingham (45 off 111 runs) and captain Temba Bavuma (36 off 84) tried to turn things around, sharing 64 runs for the fifth wicket.
However, Bavuma was removed by fast bowler Pat Cummins in the morning session and the Proteas lower order collapsed.
They lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs within the space of six overs, with Cummins (6/28) ripping through South Africa's tail as he surpassed the 300-wicket milestone in Test cricket.
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The colour of Bavuma's skin has been a topic of discussion since his Test debut in 2014, with vile, unwarranted criticism aimed at the man from Langa township in the Western Cape. Now, one of the greatest days in South African cricket history will always be associated with Bavuma — who remains undefeated as a Test captain. 'To be recognised as more than just a black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who's done something that the country has [always] wanted,' Bavuma said. 'I'll definitely walk around with my chest out. I can only hope that it continues to inspire our country.'
