Bavuma's departure keeps SA in check

South Africa came up with an improved batting performance in the first session on Day 2 of the World Test Championship final at Lord's but the advantage was still with Australia, who picked up one wicket and limited the opposition to 78 runs in the 27 overs bowled before Lunch. Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham added 64 but the dismissal of the South Africa skipper for 36 meant Australia were still ahead, with the Proteas going to 121/5 at the break, trailing by 91.

Having scored only 3 off 37 in a testing final session on Day 1, Bavuma appeared a lot more confident on the second morning, cracking a couple of boundaries off Mitchell Starc. Bedingham also struck a four off Starc and both batters rotated the strike well, ensuring that the innings did not stagnate as it did last evening. Bavuma was given out lbw off Josh Hazlewood but he used the DRS to get the onfield decision reversed, with replays revealing an inside edge - much to the surprise, and relief, of the batter.

Bavuma was also confident enough to go aerial a few times inside the first hour, and also drove Starc through cover for another four to bring up the half-century stand. He executed an authoritative pull off a chest-high delivery from Pat Cummins for a six as South Africa made good progress and didn't lose a wicket before the first drinks break.

Bedingham, overshadowed a bit by Bavuma's intent-filled batting, played a straight drive off Starc for his second four of the day, having struck an on-drive for a four off the same bowler early in the first session. But the partnership came to an end in a Cummins over as a terrific diving catch by Marnus Labuschagne led to the downfall of Bavuma when he failed to keep a drive down, leaving South Africa at 94/5. The dismissal slowed South Africa down again, with Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne choosing caution, although the former ended the session well with two fours off Beau Webster.