Stellar Test Series Comes to an End with Tensed Finish

This year promised two great series. One was India battling it out for test supremacy against England and the other was Australia looking to get their lost form back against the Proteas. While the first series was a disappointment and England beat India formidably, South Africa and Australia series was a thriller that went down to the wire. After the days of supremacy Australia are looking to rebuild their young team and gain their form back. They made a good start by clinching the ODI series but even they knew (given the present form of the South African team) that they were in for challenges.

Michael Clarke Scored a Hundred While Shane Watson took 5 wickets

The first test of the Australia vs. South Africa series got under way at Newlands in Cape Town. South African test captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to field first on a greenish Newlands pitch. Batting first Australia got to a total of 284. Though they had a shaky with Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes and Ricky Ponting getting out cheaply but Shaun Marsh and Michael Clarke build a good partnership. Michael Clarke ended up with a century (151 runs) while Shaun Marsh fell for 44. There were not many relevant contributions except these two. Dale Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 55 while Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel picked up 3 wickets a piece. South Africa got off to a good start with Graeme Smith scoring 37 runs. But no one else contributed. In fact Smith and Jacques Rudolf (18 runs) were the only batsmen to get to double figures. South Africa slumped to a total of 96 in their first innings. Shane Watson got five wickets for 17 while Ryan Harris clinched 4 for 33.

Graeme Scored a Century while Vernon Philander picked up five wickets for South Africa

Australia went into the second innings with a lead of 188 runs which put them in a winning position. But then came a least expected collapse. Australia were bowled out for a low total of 47. Only Nathan Lyon got to double figures with his score of 14. Vernon Philander was the star for South Africa with 5 for 15 and Morne Morkel got 3 for 9. South Africa had to chase down a total of 235 to win. Though Jacques Rudolph fell cheaply but Graeme Smith (101 not out) and Hashim Amla (112) ensured that South Africa got to victory.  Thus South Africa was one up in the series with their eight wickets win.

Hashim Amla & AB de Villiers Put up a Great Partnership for South Africa

The second test was a do or die for Michael Clarke’s men. Australia had been severely criticised for their loss in the first test. Second test was played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Graeme Simith again won the toss and elected to bat. Proteas got to a total of 266 thanks to some useful contributions from Jacques Kallis (54), AB de Villiers (64), Ashwell Prince (50) and Jacques Rudolf (30). In the bowling front Peter Siddle took 3 for 69. Australia got off to a great start with both the openers firing. Shane Watson (88) and Phillip Hughes (88) had a first wicket stand of 174 runs. But the next best score was 38 not out from Mitchell Johnson. Australia ended their innings at 296. It was quite even at the end of first innings for both teams.

Patrick Cummins had a Dream Debut

South African second innings got off to a solid start as the openers took them to 40 runs before Jacques Rudolf was caught by keeper Brad Haddin of Phil Cummins for 24. Then walked in Hashim Amla who scored 105 with able support from AB de Villiers (73). But loss of some quick wickets led to South Africa ending up with a score of 339. Dale Steyn hit some mighty blows towards the end and got to 41. Pattrick Cummins who was making test debut for Australia got incredible figures of 6 for 79. Australia had a nightmarish start to the chase with Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes getting out quickly. Usman Khwaja (65) and Ricky Ponting (62) consolidated the innings. Michael Hussey (39) and Brad Haddin (55) also played an able hand. But South Africans and Australia were in a spot of bother at 292 for 8 with only Pattrick Cummins and Nathan Lyon left in the hut. But Mitchell Johnson with his unbeaten innings of 40 saw the visitors home through the tensed moments.

Mitchell Johnson after winning the Test for Australia

The victory ended the series in level terms. All through the tour the spectators enjoyed hard fought cricket between two reputed cricketing nations. Though the future of Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin has been put to question by the Aussie press but Michael Clarke seems to be backing his players.