Head Nears Century as Australia Chase Survival on Final Day in Gqeberha

Australia started the final day of the second Test against South Africa on Thursday 22 October still 170 runs behind, with four second-innings wickets gone. The Guardian's live coverage set the position at St George's Park in Gqeberha, where South Africa needed six more wickets to win.

The match has been a hard one for the visitors. South Africa forced Australia to follow on, which means Australia had to bat again straight after a heavy first-innings deficit. Australia were dismissed for 99 in the match, and the home side's bowlers have been the main story so far. Cricinfo's match report credited Marco Jansen with a five-wicket haul that set up South Africa's push for victory.

The day's main thread belongs to Travis Head. He was close to a century when play began, and he has been the one batter steadying the Australian innings. Every run he adds lowers the target South Africa must bowl them out for to make the win complete, and it also keeps Australia's hopes of saving the match alive.

Scott Boland began the day as nightwatchman, the lower-order batter sent in to face the last few balls of the previous day so a stronger player can rest. Sending in a bowler at that stage usually signals that the team wants to protect its top order for the morning session.

Rain delayed the start of play on the second day, as Reuters reported. The match began on 18 October at the venue, and the series stands at 1-0 to Australia after their 214-run win in Durban, according to the ICC. A draw here would leave Australia's lead intact, while a South Africa win would level the series.

Both teams made changes before the match. South Africa brought in Matthew Breetzke in place of Tristan Stubbs, the ICC confirmed. Australia said they were confident Steve Smith would be fit for the final day, the ICC reported.

For casual fans, the key number is six. South Africa need six wickets, and Australia need to bat long enough to make the target irrelevant. Test cricket is built for days like this, where patience can matter more than a quick burst of runs. The final session will decide whether the visitors hold on or the home side closes the match out.