South Africa A 4 for 342 (Rossouw 162*, Bavuma 125*) lead Australia A 239 by 103 runs
Unbeaten centuries from Rilee Rossouw and Temba Bavuma put South Africa A in a powerful position after two days of their four-day match against Australia A in Townsville. The pair combined for a partnership that had reached 283 at stumps, all the more remarkable given they had come together with things looking shaky on 4 for 59.
Rossouw finished the day on 162 from 228 deliveries and Bavuma was on 125 from 231 balls, the pair frustrating the Australia A bowlers after their encouraging start. For Rossouw, it was the continuation of a strong tour after his last four innings in the quadrangular one-day series in Darwin provided scores of 137, 38, 74 and 69, and helped him earn an ODI call-up for the tour of Zimbabwe.
It was his 18th first-class century and his second in three matches against Australia A, after he posted an unbeaten 115 against them in Rustenburg last year. Bavuma’s hundred was his eighth in first-class cricket and he and Rossouw ensured South Africa A were able to progress to 4 for 342 at the close of play.
The day had started less well for the visitors, who began at 1 for 26 and soon lost Hardus Viljoen (5) and Reeza Hendricks (18) to the bowling of Gurinder Sandhu. The Australia A captain Moises Henriques had his opposite number Justin Ontong caught behind for 6 and the hosts appeared to be on top, but Rossouw and Bavuma had other ideas.