Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham revived South Africa in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s on Thursday following a top-order collapse on the opening day.
The pair came together on Wednesday with the Proteas in dire straits at 30-4 after Mitchell Starc had sparked a slump.
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But South Africa captain Bavuma, who was dismissed for 36, and Bedingham (39 not out) shared a fifth-wicket stand of 64 in the face of probing bowling by Australia’s seamers.
At lunch on the second day, the Proteas were 121-5, still 91 runs behind the defending champions.
South Africa dismissed Australia on the opening day for just 212 after Bavuma on the toss, with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada taking 5-51.
But given the strength of both teams’ pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which side could put enough runs on the scoreboard.
The diminutive Bavuma, having taken 37 balls for his overnight three not out, changed gears early Thursday as he struck a superb lofted cover-drive off left-arm quick Starc for four.
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Bedingham, eight not out at he start of play, got in on the act by driving a Starc inswinger through mid-on for four.
Bavuma was given out lbw for 17 to Josh Hazlewood but a review revealed he had nicked the ball and New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffaney reversed his decision.
Bavuma continued to attack, deliberately launching Hazlewood over cover before a textbook cover-driven boundary off Starc brought a fifty partnership.
And there were even louder cheers from the South Africa fans at Lord’s when Bavuma pulled opposing skipper Pat Cummins for a soaring six.
But Cummins had his revenge when Bavuma’s checked drive off a seaming delivery from was brilliantly caught at cover by a diving Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon then slowed South Africa’s scoring-rate before Bedingham ended the session with two fours in three balls off all-rounder Beau Webster.
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