Marco Jansen Smashes Australia For 99 As Proteas Eye Series Leveler
South Africa took a commanding position in the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park on Wednesday, bowling the visitors out for just 99 in their first innings before reducing them to 156/4 at stumps on day four.
The Proteas’ dominant display was spearheaded by left-arm seamer Marco Jansen, who claimed five wickets for 33 runs as Australia crumbled in response to the hosts’ 425/9 declared. Having resumed their innings at 3/1, the visitors struggled against South Africa’s pace attack and were dismissed for a paltry total.
Jansen removed Scott Boland and Travis Head before accounting for Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey and Beau Webster. Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada also made valuable contributions, while Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 28 runs before falling to Mulder.
With a first-innings lead of 326 runs, South Africa enforced the follow-on, piling further pressure on the visitors to bat again.
Australia showed greater resistance in their second innings, with Head leading the fightback. However, Rabada and Simon Harmer struck crucial blows to ensure the Proteas remained firmly in control.
The visitors reached 156/4 at the close of play, still trailing by 170 runs. Head remained unbeaten on 87, with Boland on two not out.
South Africa will head into the final day needing six wickets to seal victory and level the three-match series at 1-1, while Australia face a daunting task to save the Test.
The Proteas’ commanding position was built on captain Temba Bavuma’s magnificent 179, supported by valuable contributions from Jansen and Harmer, before the bowlers took centre stage on day four.
