Quinton de Kock scored his second Test century to press home the Proteas’ advantage against Australia, taking the lead to 203.
A missed stumping from Peter Nevill when De Kock was on 72 was the only chance he offered in the first two hours in Hobart as the hosts started to run out of ideas as to how to get themselves back into this contest.
De Kock continued to prove that he is quickly becoming one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket. He brought up his second Test century, before Josh Hazlewood bowled him for 104 late on in the session.
Cold, but crucially dry, conditions welcomed the players on day three after a washed-out day two, with the Proteas hoping to build on their 86-run first-innings lead, this after they skittled Australia for 85 on day one on Saturday.
Starting the day on 171-5, Temba Bavuma, on 38, and De Kock, on 28, looked to get their eye in and push on from their promising starts in the evening session on day one. They did so with distinction on a pitch that’s looking very decent to bat on.
Bavuma backed up his fifty from Perth with another at the Blundstone Area as the tourists stretched their lead past 100. He was solid throughout the session, and his only moment of concern came when he was on 57, as Josh Hazlewood reviewed a caught behind, only for replays to suggest that the bat hit the ground, not the ball.
Perhaps Bavuma’s only struggle was the rate at which he was scoring, as he only scored seven more runs from the next 53 balls. But it needn’t matter, for De Kock was his usual flowing self, and when their partnership reached 133, they broke a sixth-wicket record for South Africa in Australia.
Hazlewood bowled De Kock through the gate for his third wicket of the innings, with Bavuma holding firm on 74. He’ll go into the second session with Vernon Philander (3), with the Proteas well in control on 288-6.
Photo: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images
