Heading for a draw: Bavuma, Morris help South Africa save Test

Pair put on 167 for the seventh wicket as hosts declare on 627-7

CAPE TOWN: Temba Bavuma (102 not out) hit a maiden century with Chris Morris scoring 69 as the pair put on 167 for the seventh wicket to almost certainly condemn the second Test against England to a draw.

South Africa had lost three quick wickets on the fourth day at Newlands to spark some life into the Test but the Bavuma-Morris partnership ensured there was to be no dramatic collapse in the run fest.

South Africa declared at 627-7, two runs short of England’s first-innings total of 629-6 (dec).



Stuart Broad and James Anderson struck thrice with the third new ball to cause some short-lived alarm for South Africa but Bavuma’s counter-attack restored momentum back with the batting side as he raced to his second Test half-century before being dismissed by Joe Root. The pair also brought up their 50-run stand off just 48 balls.

South Africa had looked close to safety after double centurion Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis continued their fourth-wicket partnership, largely untroubled, until lunch.



But the third new ball was taken immediately after lunch and Amla added only one run before he was bowled for 201 (his fourth Test century) by Broad, ending a stand of 171. Four balls later Du Plessis was dismissed by Anderson for 86.

Quinton de Kock made only five before he was caught at backward square leg off Broad, bringing Bavuma and Morris together with their side still 180 runs behind. By the time Morris fell prey to Steven Finn, the deficit had been reduced to just 13.

England were 16-0 at stumps after facing six overs. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2016.

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