A day that started brightly for West Indies ended with them facing long odds to avoid defeat after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma coolly and calmly collected a career-best, second Test hundred to give his side a commanding lead in the second Test on Friday.
The Caribbean side had the South Africans on the ropes when Bavuma came to the crease in the fifth over on the third day at the Wanderers, but the diminutive batsman dominated them with an undefeated 171 to anchor his side to 287 for seven at the close for an overall lead of 356.
Kyle Mayers struck twice in the first half-hour and had South Africa reeling on eight for two when Bavuma arrived with a massive salvage operation needed.
West Indies continued to impose their will, and things got worse for the Proteas when Kemar Roach and left-arm pacer Raymon Reifer struck before lunch and had the hosts wobbling on 69 for four with a lead of only 138.
After the interval, the visitors found wickets hard to come, and Temba Bavuma dictated terms to reach his hundred from 192 balls in the first hour after tea when he drove Alzarri Joseph over cover for the 12th of his 20 fours and almost singlehandedly restored the balance of power to his side.
Mayers ended the day with two for 25 from 13 overs, and Joseph bowled his heart out in reprising his role of pace spearhead to claim two for 49 from 14 overs.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite conceded Temba Bavuma played “good innings” and his side will have to restrict the Proteas first thing on the fourth day (Saturday) and produce a “special” performance with the bat over the last two days of the contest to win.
The Caribbean side trail 0-1 in the two-Test series after South Africa won the first Test that ended two Thursdays ago at Centurion Park in Pretoria by 87 runs.
CMC/
