Bavuma and Harmer's 183 Is South Africa's Record Eighth-Wicket Stand in Tests
Temba Bavuma and Simon Harmer added 183 runs for the eighth wicket against Australia on Day 3 of the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Tuesday, October 20. It is the highest eighth-wicket partnership in South Africa's Test history, according to ESPNcricinfo, breaking the previous record of 150 set by Shaun Pollock and Neil McKenzie.
South Africa were in trouble when the stand began. They had slipped from 97 for 5 overnight to 110 for 6 on the third morning, and Bavuma and Marco Jansen had then rebuilt with a 132-run partnership for the seventh wicket. When Jansen fell, South Africa were 242 for 7. Harmer, the off-spinner, joined his captain at No. 9 and the pair then batted for 277 balls, taking the total from 242 for 7 to 425 for 8.
Harmer hit 10 fours and a six in his 82 off 91 balls. It was his maiden Test fifty and his highest Test score. His innings is also the highest by a South African batting at No. 9 or lower against Australia, passing the 76 that Dale Steyn made in Melbourne in 2008. Harmer fell short of a hundred when he was bowled by Marnus Labuschagne. Bavuma was then caught behind off Mitchell Starc for a Test-best 179, and South Africa declared on 425 for 9.
The partnership also broke records at the ground. It is the highest for the eighth wicket or lower in a Test at St George's Park, ahead of the 136 that Nicky Boje and Neil McKenzie added against New Zealand in 2000. Cricbuzz noted that it was the first time South Africa had put together two 100-plus partnerships for the seventh wicket or lower in the same Test innings. The 132 and 183 stands added up to 315 runs for the seventh and eighth wickets. The 183 is also the second-highest partnership against Australia for the eighth wicket or lower.
Australia's bowlers found no way past the pair. Scott Boland took 5 for 81 and Starc took 3 for 89, but the lead of 133 gave the hosts a strong position in the match. South Africa trail the three-match series 1-0 after losing the first Test in Durban by 214 runs.