Australia’s last-wicket pair saved their team from being bowled out for the lowest total in Test history on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands.
Australia were bowled out for 47 on a day of tumbling wickets after they were 21 for nine before Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon added 26 for the last wicket.
The astonishing collapse left South Africa needing a challenging 236 to win a low-scoring match but the hosts started well in their run-chase finishing the day on 81 for one, requiring a further 155 runs for victory. Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 36, while Hashim Amla was on 29 not out.
Earlier, the tourists had been in danger of being dismissed for less than the world record low of 26, scored by New Zealand against England in Auckland in 1954-55.
They also passed the lowest total by an Australian team, 36 against England at Birmingham in 1902.
It was their fourth lowest total of all time and their lowest against South Africa. The previous record was 75 in Durban in 1949-50. Most of the damage was done by debutant Vernon Philander, who returned superb figures of five for 15, and bowled with unerring accuracy on a helpful pitch and conducive conditions for fast-bowling. Morne Morkel claimed three for nine, while Dale Steyn finished with two for 23.
Watson sends hosts crashing
The Australian collapse was all the more amazing considering what had gone on before in the South African first-innings, as the hosts were bundled out for a paltry 96. Shane Watson was the architect of South Africa’s collapse, taking five for 17.
The all-rounder took five wickets in 20 balls to leave South Africa reeling in a highly precarious position, in the deficit by 188 runs. South Africa were 49 for one at lunch in reply to Australia’s 284 but lost nine wickets for 45 runs in 11.3 overs after the interval.
Clarke leads from the front
Australia captain Michael Clarke took his first-innings score to 151 before he was last man out in a frustrating morning for the South Africans in which Australia reached 284 after starting the day precariously placed on 214 for eight.
Clarke’s fine innings included 22 hits to the fence. The frenzy of wickets that followed put into perspective Clarke’s superb knock. In all 23 wickets fell on a manic day.
Tailender Peter Siddle made 20 and supported Clarke in a ninth wicket stand of 59, the second best of the innings, as the last two wickets added 70 runs.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2011.
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