South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs to level Test series

South Africa levelled the three-match series 1-1 on Thursday, bowling the tourists out for 295 at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, to win the second Test by an innings and 31 runs on a rain-shortened day five.

Australia resumed on 156 for 4 after the morning session was washed out, still 170 runs behind. Travis Head, 87 overnight, reached 121 — his 13th Test hundred and only his second outside Australia — before chopping a rising delivery from Wiaan Mulder onto his stumps. Nightwatchman Scott Boland ground out a defiant 40 off 166 balls before Mulder bowled him through the gate, and Mulder then castled captain Pat Cummins for four.

Steve Smith, batting at No. 7 with the neck injury he sustained on Wednesday, made three before top-edging Kagiso Rabada to midwicket. Rabada returned for a fresh spell to bowl Mitchell Starc for 11, and Marco Jansen sealed it when Josh Hazlewood was caught behind. Alex Carey was left 37 not out.

The result completes a remarkable turnaround. After most of the first two days were lost to rain, South Africa were 110 for 6 on the third morning before Temba Bavuma’s career-best 179 lifted them to 425 for 9 declared, with Jansen’s 85 and Harmer’s 82. Jansen then took 5 for 33 as Australia collapsed for 99 in their first innings, forcing the follow-on. Rabada finished with 4 for 77 on his return from injury. The decider starts at Newlands, Cape Town, on Tuesday.

Sources:

• https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sports/cricket/south-africa-level-series-with-win-over-australia-in-second-test?amp=1
• https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/60655-south-africa-inflict-innings-defeat-on-australia-in-second-test-to-level-series
• https://scrolla.africa/rabada-and-mulder-seal-stunning-innings-win-for-proteas-over-australia/