Disciplined Australia take series lead
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
JOHANNESBURG, mar 2 (cricinfo): Write off Australia only if you wish to be called a fool. South Africa's coronation as the world's best Test side was put on hold as an Australian team with three debutants in the ranks routed them by 162 runs at the Wanderers. Each of the four pace bowlers was absolutely superb as Australia choked the life out of the South African batting before administering the lethal blows. Mitchell Johnson led the way with 4 for 112, but Peter Siddle was just as impressive, summoning up a magnificent spell that accounted for JP Duminy in the second session.
There was no dramatic collapse, as on the fourth day, but Australia's persistence was eye-catching and by the time Johnson slipped one through Dale Steyn's bat and pad, eight wickets had fallen for 85 runs.
Australia 466 (North 117, Johnson 96*, Ponting 83, Steyn 4-113) and 207 (Hughes 75, Kallis 3-22, Ntini 3-52) beat South Africa 220 (de Villers 104*, Johnson 4-25, Siddle 3-76) and 291 (Smith 69, Johnson 4-112, Siddle 3-46) by 162 runs
There was no dramatic collapse, as on the fourth day, but Australia's persistence was eye-catching and by the time Johnson slipped one through Dale Steyn's bat and pad, eight wickets had fallen for 85 runs.
Australia 466 (North 117, Johnson 96*, Ponting 83, Steyn 4-113) and 207 (Hughes 75, Kallis 3-22, Ntini 3-52) beat South Africa 220 (de Villers 104*, Johnson 4-25, Siddle 3-76) and 291 (Smith 69, Johnson 4-112, Siddle 3-46) by 162 runs