Simon Harmer breaks Dale Steyn’s record with career-best 82 against Australia

Harmer’s 82 turns the innings around

Simon Harmer set a new South African batting mark against Australia with a career-best 82 on the third day of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. His score surpassed Dale Steyn’s previous record for a South African No. 9 or lower against Australia: 76, made in Melbourne in 2008.

Harmer struck 10 fours and a six from 91 balls, helping South Africa recover from 110-6 and declare at 425-9. He arrived after Marco Jansen had been dismissed for 85, ending a 132-run seventh-wicket partnership with captain Temba Bavuma.

Bavuma and Harmer add 183

Harmer and Bavuma then put on 183 for the eighth wicket, the second-highest partnership for that wicket or lower in South African Test history. Only Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox’s 195-run stand against Pakistan in Johannesburg in 1998 ranks higher. The stand also moved beyond the 180-run partnership between JP Duminy and Steyn against Australia in Melbourne in 2008.

Bavuma made an unbeaten 179, his highest Test score, facing 334 deliveries and hitting 18 fours and a six. He had come to the crease with South Africa at 12-2 on the opening day and held the innings together through a series of setbacks. Harmer’s innings ended when Marnus Labuschagne bowled him, leaving the spinner short of a maiden Test century. Bavuma was later dismissed by Mitchell Starc, after which South Africa declared.

Australia lose an early wicket

Australia were 3-1 at stumps after Kagiso Rabada dismissed Nic Maddinson for a four-ball duck late in the day. Australia had won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs and entered the match leading the three-Test series 1-0.