Australia vs South Africa - Sydney

It was rare, as it was sublime, to watch a batsman score a hundred in each innings of his 100th test match. So rare in fact that Ricky Ponting became the first man to do so, and again The Flag was present at a record-breaking test match; the 3rd test vs. South Africa at the SCG.

Australia already had an unbeatable grasp on the trophy after victory in Melbourne but South Africa still wanted a win from the series, in the lead up to the return series in South Africa next March, and the visitors did remarkably well to achieve defeat from almost certain victory, but not without credit mind you.

Graeme Smith elected to bat in front of what became 36,882 wet spectators after rain delayed the start by almost 3hours. At 3-86, South Africa could have squandered the chance to put Australia to the sword if not for the phenomenal 219run 4th wicket stand between Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince who came together in the 29th over, and batted out the day, lasting a further 45overs, taking their side to stumps 3-230. It wasn’t the most scintillating play in fact it was downright pedestrian, but far easier for me to say than play.

Starting day 2 at 10am, Australia needed wickets to reduce their run chase, but the only thing to come were more runs for South Africa. Kallis was dismissed on the eve of lunch for a splendid 111, with Ashwell not out 101 at the other end. Going to lunch 4-310, South Africa only managed 80runs in the 2nd session, for two wickets, and with after a solid Pollock knock of 46, declared 9/451 with 15overs to bowl in the day.

Australia probably wished the rain the had come again, as South Africa sent back Langer, Hayden, and Hodge by stumps at 3-54. Not looking good for Ricky’s 100th, but he was still in and tomorrow is another day. Punter caressed a wonderful 120 to become the 5th man to score a century in his 100th test.

It helped Australia from a diabolical position, however his wicket, the 5th, at 222 almost signalled Australia’s demise. 5-222 became 8-270. If not for Gilchrist finding some rare touch belting 86, and MacGill striking is 2nd highest test score of 29, Australia would’ve conceded more than 92runs on the 1st innings.

Day three was delayed until 11am due to rain and ended at 6.30pm with the dismissal of AB de Villiers, and the frustration of the vague ICC rain laws came to the fore with 5overs still to bowl. Day one had us play until 6.48pm, 18mins after the apparent law stating that we can play no more, so who knows what the score is? The humble spectator must just accept it I guess, reluctantly. So yes, Day 3 ended with de Villiers plumb for 1, and South Africa ending 1-4.

Day 4 off to a late start at 11am and quickly South Africa was on the back foot with Smith LBW at 2-6 and there was a slight chance, with a tumbling of wickets, Australia could wrap it up today. South Africa, Mother Nature, and the umpires, had different ideas. Herschelle Gibbs brought up his 50 at 12.15pm just as the umpires decided it was too wet and we all trudged off for lunch after 15overs.

The rain stopped at 1.00pm, the drizzle stopped at 1.30pm, and at 1.45pm the umpires decided to inspect again at 2.05pm, when at 1.45pm they should have been marshalling the teams to get on with it. Alas for the game, the umpires decided play would re-start at 2.30pm. At 2.45pm when Herschelle was run out for 67, after only 20.3 overs in the day, the umpires signalled the teams to the shed, where they stayed for the remainder of the day. You little beauty! Why? 100% Refund!

I like to see as much play in the day as possible, and I frequently argue silently to the umpires to get on with the game, but in this case, with $44 coming back my way, I was more than happy for the SCG trust to lose on account of the umpires’ weak decisions. All too often we see vacant fields because umpires prefer to resume at a time that makes for easier session calculations, rather than just getting on with it and playing for two hours!

Anyway, we came back on day five, as did eventually 10,630 interested parties, to see South Africa to 6-194 and hand Australia a most favourable declaration. Needing 287runs to win off 76overs seemed a late Christmas gift but, as they’d done before in the series, South Africa have cut through our top order with relative ease, and on a day 5 track, it wasn’t so arguable that it wasn’t enough runs, over enough time to bowl us out. South Africa couldn’t win the series, so with little to lose they got off to a flyer!

Langeveldt again bowled Justin Langer this time only for 20 and at 1-30 South Africa needed Australia’s jugular. They didn’t find it. Instead they found Punter and Haydos in murderous form putting on 182runs for the 2nd wicket, and a belligerent 150 for the 2nd session off just 27overs, setting the lads up for a big win. Haydos fell for 90, just before Ricky entered the record books with another brilliant century, unbelievable to watch, yet fantastic at the same time.

Hodgey joined Punter and looked good for a big score alas for him Australia ran out of runs, and remained 27 not out. Punter drove the winning runs for 4 with 15overs to spare, and ran off punching the air with delight as we did the dry terrace embrace as per usual at the end of a big win. It was no surprise that Ricky was both man of the match and series and ending the summer 2-0 has set the scene for a phenomenal series in South Africa in March. See you there?

Luke Gillian 07/01/2006 04:02:51