Australia rallied in both the afternoon and evening sessions of the third Test against South Africa, managing to stave off a defeat that would have placed captain Pat Cummins in an unwanted statistical club.
The match, the third encounter in a series between the two nations, saw South Africa dominate early proceedings, putting the Australian side under significant pressure as the day progressed.
Australian bowlers and batsmen responded in the afternoon, tightening the contest and preventing South Africa from extending their advantage. A further surge in the evening session helped Australia secure a more balanced position on the scoreboard.
The comeback was enough to spare Cummins the embarrassment of a loss that would have added a negative mark to his captaincy record, keeping him out of a dubious club of captains who have suffered defeats in similar circumstances.
Test cricket, the longest format of the sport, often hinges on such shifts in momentum, and the Australia‑South Africa rivalry is closely followed by fans and analysts alike. The result leaves the series still open, with both teams looking to build on the performances of the third Test.
<small>Source: BBC Sport — read the original story there.</small>