What pressure on debut! One had to score a century. The other simply had to lend support. The former passed the test with flying colours. The latter was not as lucky.
No, Mitchell Johnson was not on debut. But Ben Hilfenahus was. And his job with the bat at the crease – not lose his wicket till Johnson could score the four runs that would get him to his maiden Test century. But the Australian lower order that tormented the South Africans for so long pulled up short when the opportunity to help a colleague presented itself.
It was a rather tragic end to the premier bowler for Australia on this tour after he tore into spinner Paul Harris, taking him apart for twenty-six runs in an over that included three sixes and two fours. However, it was Morne Morkel’s two wickets in two balls (it would have technically been three in three had Morkel not be no balled on the first) that brought to an end finally Australia’s resistance that included three century partnerships, the latest being between Marcus North and Johnson.
Earlier it was North who reached his century on debut, joining an elite list of cricketers to have achieved the feat, including former South African skipper and now commentator Kepler Wessels who must have wistfully watched on as he did the same playing for Australia in 1982-’83.
Australia’s innings folded rather ironically on a day that has gone almost entirely their way in the first two sessions. Johnson’s disappointment was shared by the members of the Australian dressing room clamouring for room on the balcony awaiting the moment that never came.
But it still meant Australia ended their innings rather formidably on 466, significantly better than when they found themselves at three down for less than forty runs. South Africa must now match them; the crown is still at stake.
T1 Day 2 Lunch Time: Another Century Partnership Bails Australia Out
Day1 Tea Time: Aus Breathe Easier but Lose Key Wickets
T1 Lunch Time: Aus Blood Three Debutants; Smith Drops Ponting
RSA- Aus:Captains Brace for Use of Referral System
SA- Aus Preview: South Africa Leave Prince Out, Call Tsotsobe
SA – Aus Preview: Australia Land With New Faces, Arduous Dreams
SA- Aus: Look Back on the Australian Summer
The World’s Best Cricket Team?
Ponting: Too Many Captains in South African Team
Aus Crowd Reaction: Better to SA This Year than India Last Year
Smith Confesses Amidst Adulation
Kallis Joins the Eight Man 10000 Club; Finds Ponting’s Backing
Desmond Tutu Showers Blessings of Praise for South Africa’s Cricket Heroics
Ponting– Confident of Regaining Lost Glory; Wants to Emulate Federer, Armstrong
ODI 5 Fulltime: Debutant Tsotsobe Scripts South African Fairy Tale Win
Symonds Will Not Be Going to South Africa
How Proteas self-belief earned success Down Under
SA Will Stage Comeback in ODI’s
How Smith and Warne shaped the Test success
Smith Seeks Patience for One day Results
Can’t Keep This Man Out of the Action!
An old tale of committee captaincy looms
Mickey Arthur unveils new Protea ODI plans
Smith Holds of Surgery for Clash against Australia
A Smith-less Proteas in ODI challenge Down Under
KP: Problems with all Non- SA Coaches Now?
Arthur: Playing It Safe, Smith May Be Chained!
Should SA Have Halted the Game?
IPL Auctions: The Predictable Four ‘Big Fish’
Double Tragic Tales: Smith’s Broken Bones Shift Advantage; Lee Out As Well
Looking at the World’s New No.1 ODI Team
Morkel powerplays pinch-hitting revives the Zulu image
Connect Obama to Cricket and USA Will Be the One in Power
Morne’s Racial Abuse Deftly Handed; SA All Praises
Think India Should Be Number One; SA says, Think Again!
Thought, Not Technique Behind South Africa’s Success?
EXCLUSIVE: Pics from the South Africa Stables!
Chesterfield Special: Tough Road to Triumph for Proteas
