Australian dominance heading South
December 22nd 2008 00:45
South Africa have completed the second highest Test run chase of all time by chasing down Australia's last innings total of 414, thus beating them by six wickets at the Waca.
It was a performance that perhaps signalled the coming of a new age for world Cricket in general, with India and South Africa closer than ever in gaining Australia's world no.1 crown.
Although their bowling failed to live up to expectations, South Africa showed the nerve and class to demonstrate why many think they will wrestle Cricket supremacy away from the Australians.
Captain Graeme Smith played one of his best Test matches in his career, scoring substantial runs in both innings against the Aussies, including a maiden century against the hosts in the second innings.
Hashim Amla was also superb for the South Africans, playing with the usual flair that comes with an Indian/Pakistan background.
Even though Amla failed to continue when he got reasonable starts, his aggressive approach got South Africa out of a lot of holes at the Waca.
But the man of the moment on every South African's lips is undoubtedly AB DeVilliers.
His two partnerships with Jacque Kallis and JB Duminy were world class, which allowed him to score an unbeaten 106 against an Australian attack that simply became bereft of ideas.
DeVilliers was also instrumental when fielding, taking four classic catches that would leave Channel Nine's KFC promotion licking their lips.
Indeed many Cricket fans will be licking their lips in anticipation for the Boxing day test at the MCG this Friday.
Australia are 1 nil down and are under enormous pressure to perform after lean bowling performances by Brett Lee, Jason Krezja and Peter Siddle.
Of course, Mitchell Johnson was an obvious omission from that list, with his 12 wickets signalling the rise of Australia's new premier fast bowler.
But that was the only good to come out of Australia's performance against the South Africans - a performance that lacked the nerve and steel to put away their opponents.
Brad Haddin will be having nightmares about the wicket he gave away when he was 94 not out.
He was looking comfortable on the crease and had the South African attack at his mercy.
Rather than choke the Proteas out of the contest, Haddin became too arrogant for his own good and allowed South African that window of opportunity to perhaps create history at the Waca.
That they truly did, and Australia now face losing a test series for the first time in 17 years down under.
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