Ed Cowan is cementing his opening position and lifting Australia to safe ground at the Gabba by moving to within two runs of a maiden Test century against South Africa.
Under pressure heading into the heavyweight three-Test series, Cowan combined with skipper Michael Clarke for a record fourth-wicket stand of 174 which put the home side at 3-214 at lunch on day four.
It’s been a crucial partnership for Australia as they came together with their side in trouble at 3-40 on Sunday afternoon in reply to the tourists’ big first-innings total of 450.
Cowan was 98 not out at lunch with Clarke unbeaten on 78 as they batted through the morning session after resuming at 3-111 on Monday.
The Sydney-bred Tasmanian has hit 13 boundaries in his 180-ball stay, and has particularly punished anything short by the acclaimed Proteas attack to surpass his previous best Test score of 74 against India last summer in Perth.
Entering the series-opener with an average of 29.86 after seven Tests, Cowan was also under the pump following a sting of minor scores in the Sheffield Shield (averaging 21) and Rob Quiney’s promotion in the absence of Shane Watson.
The closest the Proteas got to removing Cowan was inducing a French cut from a “leave” of Steyn which passed inches from the off-stump and raced to the boundary.
Clarke had more jittery moments, twice enjoying some luck with leading edges off Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt that lobbed over fielders.
Dale Steyn was well negated in his early spell with the ball still shiny but he picked up pace in his second spell to give the Australian skipper a working over.
Cowan and Clarke’s partnership eclipsed Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh’s 1993-94 fourth-wicket record (169) against the Proteas at the MCG.