Pat Cummins registers an unwanted career high as South Africa stage a stunning fightback

Australia captain Pat Cummins (AP Photo) Australia captain Pat Cummins endured a difficult outing with the ball as South Africa staged a remarkable recovery in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, with his figures of 0/96 the second most expensive wicket-less return of his career.Cummins took 96 not out, just better than his 0/101 against India in Sydney in 2019. The expensive spell came as South Africa recovered from 110-6 to declare on day three at 425-9, putting Australia under pressure after a dramatic turnaround.South Africa’s lower order pounced on the opportunity after the visitors lost their sixth wicket early in the morning. Captain Temba Bavuma led the charge with a career best score of 179 while Marco Jansen scored 85 and Simon Harmer contributed 82.The recovery was particularly statistically significant. South Africa scored 315 runs after losing their sixth wicket, the second highest total in a Test innings. Their effort fell just short of the 318 runs they added against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2008.Australia have also conceded only one higher total after taking the sixth wicket: the 363 runs West Indies scored at Bridgetown in 1955. South Africa’s 318-run effort in Melbourne in 2008 is another record before Gqeberh’s latest performance.The home side were in serious trouble at 110-6 after Wiaan Mulder lost for 13 with Mitchell Starc claiming his 450th Test wicket. Bavuma and Jansen initially put on a 132-run seventh-wicket partnership before Jansen was dismissed by Scott Boland, who finished with 5-81.Harmer then joined Bavum and the pair added 183 runs for the eighth wicket to turn the innings around. Harmer hit 10 fours and a six in his maiden Test half-century before being bowled by Marnus Labuschagne.Meanwhile, Bavuma reached his fifth Test century from 226 balls, surpassing his previous best of 172 against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2023. He eventually fell to Starc, bringing the innings to a close soon after.Australia lost Nic Maddinson for a four-ball duck against Kagiso Rabada late in the day to lead 3-1 at stumps.Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs to lead the three-match series 1–0.