Pair share partnership with 106 runs

Marco Jansen launched a blistering counterattack that saw South Africa get a foothold in the second Test against Australia on the third morning in Gqeberha.

With the sun finally shining, South Africa’s batters led by a determined Temba Bavuma — and with Jansen flowing alongside him, were able to put the Australian’s on the back foot after they’d dominated the first two days at St George’s Park.

The pair shared an as-yet-unbeaten seventh wicket partnership worth 106 runs, which boosted the Proteas to 216/6 at lunch.

Bavuma will resume on 76, with Jansen on 72, aiming to take advantage of what has turned into excellent conditions for batting.

Bavuma’s innings has mixed grit and patience, providing stability amid an otherwise disastrous display from the rest of the top half of the South African batting order. Having fought through the difficult conditions on the first two days, when play was shortened because of the rain, in the bright sunshine he has looked more comfortable

It was tricky at the start, however. Scott Boland again proved to be a handful in the first half-hour — but unlike the first two days, he went wicketless on Tuesday.

Australia’s only success on the third morning wasn’t from a delivery targeting the stumps. Instead Mitchell Starc produced a nasty bouncer that forced Wiaan Mulder into a dreadful tangle, with the ball flicking his glove, zipping past his head and into Matt Renshaw’s hands at first slip. It was Starc’s 450th Test wicket.

Jansen’s approach changed the momentum of the innings and forced the Australian captain Pat Cummins to be more defensive with his fields. Most importantly, Jansen’s shots — especially before reaching his fifty — were straight from the coaching manual and free of risk.

There were delightful cover drives and two of the best shots of the innings came off the Proteas nemesis, Boland. A stylish on-drive for four was followed by thunderous lofted off-drive for six in the Victorian’s next over, leaving teammates in the change room pleasantly stunned.

Jansen reached a fifth Test half-century off 43 balls, 40 of his runs coming in boundaries. Not only did that counterattack increase SA’s scoring rate, it also relieved the pressure on Bavuma, who was also able to score freely as more gaps opened up in the field.

There was one moment of concern for the lanky all-rounder when he was given out caught behind by Richard Illingworth, but that decision was overturned on review, with replays showing Jansen had hit his pad.

There were a few moments of freneticism against Cummins and Starc when Jansen tried to chase every ball, but some calming words from Bavuma saw him focus with more intensity to get to lunch unbeaten.

Josh Hazlewood was back on the field for Australia but not allowed to bowl in the first session because he missed Monday’s play. His presence is now crucial for the Australians, who have to get through eight more overs after the interval before they can take the second new ball.

New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffney was also back on the park after suffering with illness on the first two days. His absence allowed Arno Jacobs to make his Test debut.