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.    

Australia Having a Tough Tussle in South Africa

Gone are the days when the Australians were deemed to be an unbeatable team. Losses of many key players and out of form seniors have made them start from the scratch. After their dismal outing in the 2011 World Cup the team has undergone many changes. While Ricky Ponting was relieved of his captaincy duties, Tim Nielsen has resigned. This seems to be the right time for Aussie Second Coming. But there is a slight problem. They have many high class opponents to get over. India the world champions in the ODI format, England the T20 World Champions and the ever powerful South Africa have upset many teams with high quality cricket. So the newly appointed captain Michael Clarke does not have an easy task at hand. Though the young Aussies performed well against the Sri Lankans and took a lot of heart from that series but South Africa is another cup of tea. 

Shane Watson During his Match winning Innings in 1st T20 

Australian cricket team would be under constant pressure all through their tour of South Africa. Cricketing history says when a cricketing super power falls from their position of supremacy; they find it hard to regain the same position. But as far as the young Australian team is concerned they are performing very well in South Africa. In the 2 International T20s and 3 ODIs they have shown their mettle. 

Morne Morkel Picks up a Wicket

The tour started off with the International T20 matches. First match was played in Cape Town and the Australians won the match by five wickets. Batting first South Africa put up a competitive total of 146/7. They were aided by a fine knock of 67 from 53 balls by J.P. Duminy. Among the Aussie bowlers Patrick Cummins impressed all with his spell of 3 wickets for 25 runs. When it came to Australia’s turn with the bat they reached 147 runs losing only 5 wickets. Shane Watson was the star in the run chase by scoring 52 of 30 balls and supported by little contributions from Shaun Marsh (25 of 19 balls), David Hussey (25 of 27 balls) and Cameron White (28 of 22 balls). The second T20 was staged in Johannesburg and South Africa came back strongly to win this match by 3 wickets. Australia batted first and got to a total of 147/8 with notable contributions coming from the skipper Cameron White (39 of 26 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (36 of 21 balls). Regular fall of wickets did not let the Aussies consolidate. South Africa chased down the total with 3 wickets still intact. Graeme Smith laid a solid start (24 of 22 balls), then Johan Botha (34 of 28 balls) and Juan Theron (31 of 16 balls) completed the victory. 

Young Australian Bowlers were Disciplined all through

Next in was turn for the ODI series to commence. Both the teams had a point to prove after the level ending T20 series. First ODI at Centurion was marred by rain interruption but the Aussies got off to a winning star. They won the match by 93 runs according to the Duckworth Lewis method. Australia batted first and got to a total of 183/4 in 29 overs before rain stopped play. Ricky Ponting showed glimpses of his former self with a fine innings of 63 from 77 balls while Michael Clarke (44 of 48 balls) and Michael Hussey (30 of 21 balls) also chipped in. South Africa came out to chase a reduced total due to the rain delay. But they managed only 129 all out. Only significant contributions to the innings were provided by Hashim Amla (24 of 32 balls) and Faf du Plessis (27 of 20 balls). Mitchell Johnson and Patrick Cummins bagged 3 wickets each. Second ODI was played in Port Elizabeth and as expected South Africa made a strong comeback. They beat the Australians by 80 runs. Batting first South Africa amassed a formidable total of 303/6. Jacques Kallis was the leading scorer with 76 of 88 balls. There were many other significant contributions from Graeme Smith (57 of 69 balls), J.P. Duminy (56 of 58 balls) and David Miller (59 of 51 balls). Though Australia was given a solid start by David Warner who scored 74 of 97 balls yet the following batsmen could not keep up the tempo and they were bowled out for 223. Morne Morkel bagged 4 wickets to finish the route. There was an intense tussle expected in the last ODI at Durban and the match lived upto its expectation. Batting first South Africa put up a meagre total of 22/6 in seam friendly conditions. Though Hashim Amla (52 of 72 balls) and Jacques Kallis (54 of 74 balls) started out well but disciplined Australian bowling restricted the South Africans. When chasing the total Australia also had their share of problems. But the cool and calm Michael Hussey saw the visitors through with his unbeaten knock of 45 of 64 balls. Thus Australia clinched the ODI series 2-1. 

Jacques Kallis & Graeme Smith in 2nd ODI

The teams will now gear up to carry on the contest onto the Test arena with a two test series coming up. It’s been a tough tour for the Aussie boys and so far they have coped well to the pressure.