Some inspired bowling by Paul Harris led South Africa to an innings and 20 run victory over Australia in the third and last Test at Newlands yesterday.
Some inspired bowling by Paul Harris led South Africa to an innings and 20 run victory over Australia in the third and last Test at Newlands yesterday.
The win provides the Proteas with some consolation for their two-one series loss. The victory came late on the fourth day, despite a defiant stand by Mitchell Johnson.
The South African and Australian teams lined up after tea to give a guard of honour for umpire Steve Bucknor at the start of what was expected to be his last session as a Test cricket umpire. The near capacity crowd also gave the veteran West Indian a standing ovation.
The guard of honour implied that Australia had thrown in the towel and expected to be out fairly quickly, but two lower order batsmen - Andrew McDonald and Mitchell Johnson - had other ideas. They tore into the South African bowlers, and for some time, it appeared that the match would continue on Monday and that South Africa might even have to bat again.
McDonald registered his maiden Test 50 and Johnson his fourth as they raced to a 100 run partnership off just 90 balls. McDonald's 50 came off 56 balls and Johnson's off 51.
Earlier in the day, Australia appeared to be playing for survival. The first session yielded just 40 runs for the loss of one wicket - Simon Katich caught by JP Duminy off Harris for 54.
Australia lost three wickets in the afternoon session, with Dale Steyn dismissing Michael Hussey for 39 and Michael Clarke for 47, while Harris captured the wicket of Brad Haddin for 18. The general feeling was that once Clarke was out, the match was all but over and some television commentators began trying to book early flights home.
But Johnson and McDonald, with nothing to lose, but possible berths in the Ashes team at stake, were merciless, with all the South Africans coming in for punishment. To add to the visibly tiring South African attack woes, their stand-in captain, Jacques Kallis, had to leave the field with an injury sustained while bowling.
It was Harris who finally made the breakthrough, with a delivery that brushed the inside edge of McDonald's bat and AB de Villiers made a superb diving catch. McDonald called for a review, but the decision was upheld and brought their 163-run partnership to an end. Peter Siddle came out, and went in almost identical circumstances and Harris was on a hat-trick.
Bryce McGain, the spinner who became a crowd favourite on Saturday as he leaked runs, survived the hat-trick ball and was able to see Johnson through to his maiden Test century, which came off an astonishing 86 deliveries, and included 10 boundaries and four sixes - the last of which he launched over midwicket to reach his ton.
However, McGain was run out two balls later, when Johnson called him for a second run. Substitute fielder Sybrand Engelbrecht threw the ball to Steyn, who had plenty to time to whip the bails off.
Johnson, who was named Man of the Series, finished unbeaten on 123 while Harris was named Man of the Match.
The victory meant that the two teams finished the summer even, with three wins each. - Sapa
harris fries ausies
Some inspired bowling by Paul Harris led South Africa to an innings and 20 run victory over Australia in the third and last Test at Newlands yesterday.
Some inspired bowling by Paul Harris led South Africa to an innings and 20 run victory over Australia in the third and last Test at Newlands yesterday.
The win provides the Proteas with some consolation for their two-one series loss. The victory came late on the fourth day, despite a defiant stand by Mitchell Johnson.
The South African and Australian teams lined up after tea to give a guard of honour for umpire Steve Bucknor at the start of what was expected to be his last session as a Test cricket umpire. The near capacity crowd also gave the veteran West Indian a standing ovation.
The guard of honour implied that Australia had thrown in the towel and expected to be out fairly quickly, but two lower order batsmen - Andrew McDonald and Mitchell Johnson - had other ideas. They tore into the South African bowlers, and for some time, it appeared that the match would continue on Monday and that South Africa might even have to bat again.
McDonald registered his maiden Test 50 and Johnson his fourth as they raced to a 100 run partnership off just 90 balls. McDonald's 50 came off 56 balls and Johnson's off 51.
Earlier in the day, Australia appeared to be playing for survival. The first session yielded just 40 runs for the loss of one wicket - Simon Katich caught by JP Duminy off Harris for 54.
Australia lost three wickets in the afternoon session, with Dale Steyn dismissing Michael Hussey for 39 and Michael Clarke for 47, while Harris captured the wicket of Brad Haddin for 18. The general feeling was that once Clarke was out, the match was all but over and some television commentators began trying to book early flights home.
But Johnson and McDonald, with nothing to lose, but possible berths in the Ashes team at stake, were merciless, with all the South Africans coming in for punishment. To add to the visibly tiring South African attack woes, their stand-in captain, Jacques Kallis, had to leave the field with an injury sustained while bowling.
It was Harris who finally made the breakthrough, with a delivery that brushed the inside edge of McDonald's bat and AB de Villiers made a superb diving catch. McDonald called for a review, but the decision was upheld and brought their 163-run partnership to an end. Peter Siddle came out, and went in almost identical circumstances and Harris was on a hat-trick.
Bryce McGain, the spinner who became a crowd favourite on Saturday as he leaked runs, survived the hat-trick ball and was able to see Johnson through to his maiden Test century, which came off an astonishing 86 deliveries, and included 10 boundaries and four sixes - the last of which he launched over midwicket to reach his ton.
However, McGain was run out two balls later, when Johnson called him for a second run. Substitute fielder Sybrand Engelbrecht threw the ball to Steyn, who had plenty to time to whip the bails off.
Johnson, who was named Man of the Series, finished unbeaten on 123 while Harris was named Man of the Match.
The victory meant that the two teams finished the summer even, with three wins each. - Sapa
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