Du Plessis ton puts South Africa in commanding position

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis led from the front with a hard-earned century to give the hosts a commanding 205-run advantage at the end of the second day of the second test against Pakistan at Newlands yesterday.

Du Plessis failed to score in either innings in the first test in Pretoria last week, but made 103 in a 226-ball knock as South Africa piled up 382 for six in reply to Pakistan’s 177 all out on the opening day.

Pakistan will be up against it today when South Africa resume with Quinton de Kock not out on 55 and Vernon Philander on six as they look to press home their advantage.

Du Plessis had to toil for his ninth test century on

an uneven pitch, hitting some superb shots through extra cover but also surviving being dropped on 96 to an easy catch down leg that Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed spilt.

He was eventually out to a feint tickle off teenager Shaheen Shah, who finished the day with the best Pakistan figures of 3-112.

Temba Bavuma, who saw two reviews go his way, made 75 and it was his 156-run fifth wicket partnership with the skipper that enabled South Africa to take the game away from their opponents after losing two wickets early in the day.

“It was a challenging wicket but we tried to be as

positive out there as we could be,” Bavuma said.

“Any kind of lead on this wicket is massive. Our bowlers will be raring to go and looking to exploit it.”

South Africa were on 123-2 overnight but Hashim Amla (24) and Theunis de Bruyn (13) departed in the morning