Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen said South Africa will play deep into the fifth day if needed to beat Australia in the second Test at St George’s Park.
The home side need six more wickets on the final day. They have 98 possible overs to get them, IOL Sport reported.
“Travis is still in,” Jansen said. “He can hit 150 balls if he decides, or wants to.”
Jansen took his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket on Wednesday. His spell helped bowl Australia out for just 99 in their first innings.
That collapse left the visitors 326 runs behind, and South Africa asked them to follow on.
Australia batted much better the second time. They reached 156 for four at the close, still 170 runs short of making South Africa bat again.
Opening batter Travis Head was the main reason for the fightback. He was not out on 87 when play ended.
Jansen said the Proteas were not taking anything for granted. He said the team knew Australia could get past the deficit.
“We know there’s a possibility of us having to go in again,” he said. “But for us, the focus is to try and bowl them out before they get to the deficit.”
He added that the team would put all its effort into that goal and take the day as it comes.
The 26-year-old said the secret was to stay in the moment and not think about the result.
“I think you can get yourself in trouble if you think too far ahead in the game,” Jansen said.
He said the bowlers had done well by focusing on each phase, from the new ball to the old ball. “You can only do what you can do with this present ball, and then the next ball, and then the next ball,” he said.
South Africa will have to finish the job without fast bowler Anrich Nortje. He picked up a suspected groin injury during the match.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost Anrich early on. Now it’s a case of who you bowl and for how long,” Jansen said.
Jansen said the pitch now suits off-spinner Simon Harmer. He said the team always felt the ball would start to spin at some stage.
“We knew that Harmie was going to play a big role in this Test match, especially on this wicket,” he said.
Jansen also pointed to Harmer’s experience at the Gqeberha ground. “Obviously Harmie has played here many times. He knows what he needs to do and what he has to do,” he said.
Play resumes on the fifth and final day with Australia on 156 for four and Head still at the crease.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.