Bavuma hits 179 as South Africa declare before early Australia wicket

Temba Bavuma scored 179 as South Africa recovered to declare on 425-9 on the third day of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha. BBC Sport reported that it was the captain's highest Test score. Australia ended the day on 3-1, still 422 runs behind with nine first-innings wickets remaining.

Watch the highlights:

Bavuma's innings lasted 552 minutes across three days after he came to the crease with South Africa 12-2. The hosts were subsequently reduced to 110-6 before he combined with the lower order to transform their position. Marco Jansen made 85 during a partnership of 132, giving South Africa a route back into an innings that had been in danger of ending cheaply.

Bavuma then added 183 with Simon Harmer, a partnership BBC Sport identified as South Africa's highest for the eighth wicket in Tests. Harmer was bowled by Marnus Labuschagne immediately before Mitchell Starc had Bavuma caught behind. South Africa declared with roughly half an hour of play left, while Scott Boland finished with bowling figures of 5-81.

BBC Sport's scorecard records that Australia had won the toss and chosen to field at St George's Park. Their reply lasted just four overs before the close. Nic Maddinson was the only batter dismissed, falling to the fourth ball of Kagiso Rabada's opening over without scoring. Rabada completed a wicket maiden, leaving Australia with an immediate setback.

The remaining three overs came from spin. Harmer bowled two overs for three runs and Aiden Markram delivered a maiden, with neither taking a wicket. Travis Head was unbeaten on one from seven balls and Boland on two from 13. Australia therefore reached the close with both batters still at the crease but almost their entire first-innings task ahead of them.

BBC Sport reported that poor light forced South Africa to stop using seamers before play ended. The match remains unfinished, with Australia still in their first innings. Two scheduled days remain in the Test, which runs from 18 to 22 October, according to the scorecard.