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10 stats and facts: Australia v South Africa

Cape Town - Australia and South Africa will renew their Test cricket rivalry when their three-Test series starts at the WACA in Perth on Thursday (04:30 SA time).

The Proteas are looking to beat Australia for a third successive Test series Down Under, having recorded victories in 2008/09 (2-1) and 2012/13 (1-0).

Since 1902, the nations have played against each other in 91 Tests, with Australia winning 50 compared to South Africa’s 21, with 20 matches ending in draws.

Here follows 10 Test stats and facts between Australia and South Africa over the past 114 years (highest for each team):

Most career matches:

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis played 28 Tests against Australia between 1997 and 2012.

Australia’s Ricky Ponting played 26 Tests against South Africa between 1997 and 2012.

Highest individual score:

Legendary Australian batsman Donald Bradman holds the record for the highest individual score of 299 not out, achieved in Adelaide in 1931.

Graeme Pollock holds the record for the highest score by a South African against Australia of 274 - achieved in Durban in 1970.

Most runs by an individual:

Ricky Ponting scored 2 132 runs in 26 Tests against South Africa at an average of 47.37.

Jacques Kallis scored 1 978 runs in 28 Tests against Australia at an average of 40.36.

Most career 100s:

Neil Harvey and Ricky Ponting both scored eight centuries against South Africa. Harvey achieved this in 14 Tests between 1949 and 1958 (average 81.25), while Ponting took 26 Tests.

For South Africa, Graeme Pollock and Eddie Barlow both scored five centuries against Australia. Both did so in 14 Tests.

Most wickets by an individual:

Australia’s Shane Warne took 130 wickets in 24 Tests against South Africa at an average of 24.16.

For South Africa, Dale Steyn has taken 69 wickets in 14 Tests against Australia at an average of 27.13.

Best bowling in an innings:

Mitchell Johnson’s 8/61 is the best for an Australian against South Africa - achieved in Perth in 2008.

For South Africa, Hugh Tayfield’s 7/23 in Durban in 1950 is the best by a South African against Australia.

Most catches (non-wicketkeeper):

For Australia, Ricky Ponting took 35 catches in 26 Tests against South Africa.

For South Africa, Graeme Smith took 35 catches in 20 Tests against Australia.

Most dismissals by a wicketkeeper:

Mark Boucher claimed 66 scalps in 20 matches against Australia between 2001 and 2011.

Adam Gilchrist is top in this list for the Aussies with 44 dismissals in 12 matches between 2001 and 2006.

Highest partnership:

Steve Waugh and Greg Blewett’s 385 runs for the fifth wicket against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1997 is the record.

For South Africa, Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock’s 341 for the third wicket in Adelaide in 1964 is the highest against Australia.

Greatest win margin (by runs):

Australia’s 530-run win in Melbourne in 1911 is the highest margin by runs.

South Africa’s 323-run win in Port Elizabeth in 1970 is the second highest.

Source: ESPNcricinfo

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