South Africa batsmen fight back on day 3 of 2nd test against Pakistan at Newlands

By Tristan Holme

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Robin Peterson hit a career-best 84 for South Africa on Saturday, consigning Pakistan to a 12-run lead in the first innings on the third day of the second test at Newlands.

Peterson was the last man out for South Africa, caught at long-on off the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez, as the Proteas were dismissed for 326 at the midway point of the match.

South Africa had looked unlikely to get anywhere near Pakistan’s 338 after Saeed Ajmal single-handedly reduced the team to 109-5, but Peterson and AB de Villiers, who made 61, turned the innings around.

Peterson’s previous highest test score was 61, but he made up for a mediocre time with the ball during Pakistan’s innings by ensuring South Africa’s deficit is negligible.

Having lost all five of its wickets to Ajmal on the second day, South Africa’s decision to play more positively against the spinner was clear on Saturday.

Although Dean Elgar was caught at slip off the bowling of Ajmal as he attempted an overly aggressive stroke in the first hour of the day, De Villiers added runs at a good pace and was well supported by Peterson in a 46-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

That stand came to an end when Mohammad Irfan claimed his first test scalp, having De Villiers caught at mid-on from the fifth delivery of the second new ball.

Despite being under pressure after De Villiers’ departure, Peterson continued to bat with freedom as he put on 67 runs with Vernon Philander, before the latter was caught off a leading edge.

The Proteas continued to seek quick runs, and Peterson seemed to find the boundary at will until he was finally caught out in the process of taking on the boundary fielder.

08:06ET 16-02-13