SA in Australia
SA rewrite history books
2008-12-30 03:31
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Winning captain Graeme Smith (Gallo Images)
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CLICK HERE FOR THE FINAL SCOREBOARDSouth Africa completed a monumental nine wicket victory over Australia in the second Test at the MCG to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing down a total of 183 on the final day’s play, South African captain Graeme Smith, who led from the front with a gutsy 75, and an out of sorts Neil McKenzie who was still there at the end on 58 not out, made sure that South Africa inflicted a first home series defeat for the all-conquering Australians in 17 years.
Lacking penetration, the Australian bowling never looked like exerting any pressure on the Proteas batting line-up and when Hashim Amla hit the winning runs off Michael Clarke, it capped off one of the most extraordinary Test matches in South African cricket history.
In a match which ebbed and flowed throughout the five days, JP Duminy’s heroic 166 and Dale Steyn’s 76 in the first innings, will go down as the partnership that not only changed the outcome of the match but also the course of history as South Africa basked in the glory of their first ever series win in Australia and as a result, loosened Australia’s grip at the top of international cricket.
South African speedster Dale Steyn was named Man of the Match for his match figures of 10 for 154 and his 76 runs in the first innings.
The third Test in Sydney starts on January 3.