Duminy saves South Africa with incredible century
Duminy helped put South Africa in control of the second Test
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Sunday, 28, Dec 2008 11:12
South Africa have fought their way back into the second Test against Australia after JP Duminy scored an incredible 166 while batting with the tail.
The tourists began the day on 198-7, still 196 behind the Australians' first innings total, but Duminy batted with aplomb to get his side up to 459 all out.
He was ably assisted by some spirited batting by the Proteas' tail, Paul Harris scored 39 from 67 balls while Dale Steyn was able to stay with Duminy for 191 balls.
Steyn hit nine fours and a six during his innings before being bowled by Peter Siddle for 76. Australia were 4-0 at the close of play – trailing South Africa by 61 heading into day four of the contest.
Australia struggled to pick up wickets the way they had done on Saturday and missed the presence of Brett Lee.
The Aussie paceman was missing from the day's play due to a sore foot and although he had been wicketless before his injury the home side could have done with a change of pace as South Africa dominated proceedings.
Duminy, who only made his Test debut in Perth last week, showed amazing powers of concentration by seeing off 340 balls during his marathon innings.
The Proteas' tail offered him better support than his more illustrious colleagues up the batting order had managed.
Harris managed to last the first hour of the day before being dismissed by part-time bowler Michael Hussey.
That brought Steyn to the crease as he and Duminy went about setting the third-highest ninth-wicket partnership in Test history.
Their stand of 180 lasted from before lunch until after tea and enabled Duminy to pass a century.
When Steyn eventually departed Duminy blasted another 25 runs that allowed him to pass 150 before he was the last man out.