Adelaide: Debutant Faf du Plessis batted throughout the final day for a defiant unbeaten century to guide South Africa to a thrilling draw against Australia in the second Adelaide Test on Monday.
Man-of-the-Match du Plessis occupied the crease for almost eight hours in a feat of physical and mental endurance to ensure the Proteas avoided defeat and take the three-Test series to a decider starting on Friday.
In a gripping finish, lion-hearted fast bowler Peter Siddle had Dale Steyn caught at mid-wicket for a duck and then bowled Rory Kleinveldt (3) with a yorker.
Siddle gave everything in the final over of the Test in search of the last two wickets but Morne Morkel held on.
At stumps Du Plessis, who needed physio treatment for cramps late in the day, was unconquered on 110 with Morkel not out eight in South Africa’s 248 for eight.
Du Plessis, who scored 78 in the first innings, reached his dogged century in his maiden Test with a cover drive for two off Ben Hilfenhaus after tea.
He was at the crease for 464 minutes and faced 376 balls. He survived two reviews after being given out by umpire Billy Bowden and was dropped by wicketkeeper Matthew Wade on 94. (AFP)
Brief scores:
Aus 1st inn: 550 all out
SA 1st inn: 388 all out
Aus 2nd inn: 267-8 dec
SA 2nd inn: 248-8 (du Plessis 110 not out; P Siddle 4-65)
