T1: SA Relive Perth Memories Before Swallowing Result of Sydney

Sreelata YellamrazuMar 4 2009

It was a game of attrition that South Africa failed to last. Once again they had managed to take matters to the final session of the Test but they had done too much damage themselves to make a late salvage.

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South Africa’s bowlers gave away the initiative after striking Australia’s top order. Led by Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, Australia staged a revival, and with streaks of brilliance such as that from Mitchell Johnson’s ninety-six and Marcus North’s exciting century on debut, South Africa’s batting in the first innings simply could not prevent Australia from taking a huge lead at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

That meant that even though Australia folded like a pack of cards in their second innings, despite Phillip Hughes surviving after South Africa failed to take the route of the review system, South Africa were still staring at a target of 454 runs, another historical chapter would have to be written for this win.

For a while, the Perth and Melbourne victories were recalled when Graeme Smith batted with authority along with another fine half century from Hashim Amla. But perhaps the manner in which Smith departed to a lazy, miscued shot, it perhaps signaled the shape of things to come as a sign of omen.

At 178 for two, by no means were hopes of a distant victory lost. But the Australian bowlers had been too accurate to be taken for granted. But the early loss of AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy for South Africa, it became a matter of survival and one that seemed to get more and more unlikely when Mark Boucher was dismissed in a controversial caught behind. Dale Steyn would have had a feeling of déjà vu walking out after tea, knowing there was still an enormous task ahead of him.

But there would be South African heroics on the day as they went down by 162 runs at home, surrendering the first of a three match series. And yes, heroics will be required if they are to come back into contention and steal the number one mace from the Australians who are regaining their bearings.