Temba Bavuma scripts records with career-best 179 vs Australia (Tests)
What's the story
South African captain Temba Bavuma scripted a ton of records en route to his career-best score in Test cricket. Alongside Marco Jansen, he staged a brilliant comeback for his team on the third day of the ongoing second Test match against Australia in Gqeberha. The duo added a rapid century stand, which helped South Africa recover from a precarious position of 110/6. Bavuma went on to hammer 179 runs as the hosts declared at 425/9.
Knock
A fine hand from Bavuma
Scott Boland's brilliance with the red cherry meant SA were 97/5 after two truncated days of play.
Bavuma, however, negated the Aussie bowlers well and started Day 3 unbeaten at 41*.
After Wiaan Mulder departed for 13, Bavuma finally found a potent partner in Jansen.
The duo added 132 runs before Jansen departed for 85.
Meanwhile, the skipper continued to bat well and completed his hundred.
Feat
Another century stand with Harmer
Bavuma also found great support in Simon Harmer, who made a brilliant 82 while batting at nine.
The duo added over 183 runs to take their team past 400.
As per Cricbuzz, this was the first instance of South Africa recording two 100-plus stands for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test innings.
Overall, Bavuma and Harmer recorded the second-highest partnership against the Aussies for the eighth wicket or lower.
Stats
Bavuma's career-best score
Bavuma slammed 18 fours and a six for his 179 off 334 balls.
No other South African skipper has even managed a 130-plus score against the Aussies.
His previous best score in Tests was 172. This was his maiden ton against the Aussies as he also owns five fifties.
As per Cricinfo, Bavuma has raced to 768 runs from 11 matches against Australia at 45.17.
Information
4,000 Test runs loading for Bavuma
Overall in the longest format for South Africa, Bavuma has completed 3,993 runs at an average of 38.76 from 68 games. This was his fifth ton (26 fifties). As many as 2,330 of Bavuma's Test runs have come at home. He averages 44.80 from 38 games. Each of his five tons has come in the rainbow nation.