Can South Africa pull off a “India”?

History seems to be beckoning a few changes across all strata of society and across all fields. The story appears no different at the WACA as South Africa must now what India did last week in order to gain the upper hand.

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If India chased down a memorable 387 to seal victory in the first Test against England in Chennai, South Africa need to pull off a similar miracle if they are to send shocks in the Australian dressing room.

At six for 157, South Africa had a chance to end the Australian innings quickly and chase a rather modest target themselves. But once again Brad Haddin stood in the way. Overnight he extended his personal knock to ninety-four, built around partnerships with Jason Krezja and Mitchell Johnson. Once again the South African bowlers’ inability to finish off the tail has proved rather costly. They allowed Australia to escape from an incredulously poor position for them in the first session of day one and once again, they took the initiative away from South Africa.

Instead South Africa were staring at 414 to get in order to win the first of three Test series with Australia with nearly two days to bat. On previous occasions, South Africa found themselves in strong positions thanks largely to a robust middle order but more so, because of the great starts accorded by the opening partnerships. Australia may have struggled in a case of preserving their reputation but they did their first step right – break up the opening pair…twice.

With Neil McKenzie dismissed cheaply in both innings, the onus lay on the South African captain to ensure South Africa lived to tell the tale. That he did with some aplomb. Even as South Africa needed a confidence lifter in the face of such a colossal run chase, success of which would mean only the second best yet in the fourth innings of a Test match, Graeme Smith decided he would hang around and give South Africa a chance for victory rather than fight for a draw.

The offensive worked as South Africa delayed further inroads by Australia till late in the day. Even as showers kept interrupting play ever so often, South Africa could not afford to swerve from the task on hand. It meant the skipper had to beat his elbow niggles, his stiff shoulder in order to notch up 6000 runs in Test cricket (at a respectable average of fifty in seventy-three Test) but also, an invaluable century in trying circumstances.

A 153 run partnership between Smith and Hashim Amla was beginning to knock off the runs as well as increase hope in the dressing room. But the Johnson threat came back. After cleaning up McKenzie, Johnson had perhaps struck at the vital link in the South African camp, the skipper. Smith was dismissed for 108. But more was to follow. Amla departed within seven runs of his skipper, falling to the overshadowed Brett Lee.

What South Africa needed was another enormous partnership in order to once again set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Australian dressing room.

The transformation is almost unbelievable and yet it should have been expected. Jacques Kallis, who came in for some unkind criticism from former Australian cricketers, found the middle of his bat in the first innings and decided to cash in on the new found experience. That meant blasting his way after a sedate start.

Peter Siddle was made to watch his ball sail high for six only to be followed by a spanking to the boundary. The very next over Kallis greeted Jason Krezja with two glorious boundary shots that had Ricky Ponting on his haunches, smiling at the irony of the situation. With the field spread, South Africa were indicating that they were not giving up by any stretch of the imagination.

At three for 227 and still needing 187, South Africa have a tedious task ahead of them. But their positive framework, as indicated by Kallis, should work for them. How it all turns out remains the enchanting part for Super Sunday!