South Africa thrash Australia to claim historic series win
Wednesday, 4 April 2018
JOHANNESBURG, Apr 3 (AFP): Vernon Philander sent Australia crashing to defeat with a sensational spell of bowling on the fifth day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Tuesday.
Philander took a career-best six for 21 as Australia were bowled out for 119, giving South Africa victory by 492 runs, a record runs margin for South Africa.
South Africa completed a 3-1 series win, the first time they had beaten Australia in a home series since 1969/70.
It brought to an end a series of high-quality cricket and even greater off-field drama, culminating in a ball tampering scandal during the third Test in Cape Town which resulted in former captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft sent home.
Philander struck twice in the first over of the day. He had Shaun Marsh caught at gully off the first ball.