Bowlers shine on day five as Proteas beat Australia to level Test series

South Africa held off a fighting Australia on Thursday, securing victory by an innings and 31 runs on the fifth and final day of the second Test at St George’a Park in Gqeberha.

Resuming their second innings in the afternoon session, after the morning session was scratched due to overnight rain and a wet outfield, the Baggy Greens returned to the crease on 156/4, still needing 170 runs to make the Proteas bat again and hoping to hang around long enough to force a draw.

Opening batter Travis Head added 34 runs to his overnight score before he was removed by Wiaan Mulder after contributing 121 runs off 190 balls for the 13th Test century of his career.

And after he was removed, the writing was on the wall.

Australia’s tail crumbles

While all-rounder Scott Boland was superb, facing 166 balls overnight for his 40-run contribution, he too was dismissed by Mulder shortly after the tea break.

Alex Carey added a stubborn 37 not out off 69 down the order, but the rest of Australia’s tail crumbled as they were bowled out for 295 runs in the last session, with the Proteas wrapping up an impressive victory in a shortened match that was affected by rain for most of the first two days.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (4/77) and fellow seamer Mulder (3/64) led the Proteas attack in Australia’s second innings, preventing the tourists from forcing a draw and retaining their series lead.

The series was level at 1-1 heading into the deciding Test starting in Cape Town on Tuesday.