Graeme Smith knew there would be pain in his elbow throughout his 108, but he will have to wait to learn whether the courageous display was enough to avoid the hurt of another defeat to Australia.
Peter English writes for cricinfo that Smith’s hundred gave South Africa, who started their innings with the target of 414 as close as their country is to Perth, a chance to dream of the second-biggest successful chase in history.
Mitchell Johnson’s tenth wicket of the match and a quick follow-up by Brett Lee, who removed the impressive Hashim Amla for 53, eased the growing stress of the Australians late in the day as the visitors finished at 3 for 227. With at least 91 overs remaining, the number on the horizon is a significantly more manageable 187 for South Africa, but the main problem is key wickets have already fallen.
If South Africa make it, it will be because of the example of Smith, a captain who is desperate to beat Australia and talented enough to achieve it. He was the chief provider on a surface that shows no signs of deteriorating, a factor which provides another boost for the tourists.
The throbbing in Smith’s elbow gradually transferred into pain in Australia’s side as he refused to be broken by rain breaks, the size of the task, regular bowling chances or Jason Krejza’s exaggerated appeals with balls pitching outside leg. During the interruptions Smith received massages and while they were not for relaxation, he operated calmly throughout the afternoon. He knew the contest could be lost quickly, but that it would have to be won over a 10-hour wrestle.
There was incredibly useful support from Amla, a player who seems to lift the mood of his captain. Nineteen runs came in the 14.3 overs Smith shared with Neil McKenzie, who edged Johnson on 10, but as soon as Amla stepped into his back-foot pushes the rate lifted. The result was a 153-run stand that rattled the Australians until both batsmen departed in three overs.
Smith allowed only a few moments of extravagance before tea, including a straight drive and a pull off Peter Siddle for boundaries, but he extended his range after the break and blew to his century in 138 balls. This was Smith’s 18th hundred – his first against Australia – and when he reached it with consecutive cuts for four off Johnson he looked to the sky.
On 7 Smith earned 6000 Test runs in his 73rd match and was averaging a neat 50.00. South Africa would have liked him to quadruple his mean in this match to make the result safe, but Johnson slipped through with a slower ball for a well-earned lbw. The decision gave Johnson his first ten-wicket haul and a tense conclusion to the day ensued when Amla departed.
Three years ago South Africa batted more than a day to save the game. This time a win or a loss are the likely results and will depend on how Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers (11) re-start on the fifth morning.
Kallis charged 22 runs in two overs late in the day to walk off with 33 after surviving a severe examination from Johnson and Lee. Johnson, who took 2 for 56, will have a big say on Sunday after another fierce evening spell while Australia will hope for more impact from Krejza’s offspin.
The day had not gone well for South Africa before they batted, with it taking them a session to prise the three remaining Australian wickets. Haddin orchestrated a fine lower-order performance and narrowly missed a century with a clever and brutal 94.
Australia started the day on top but by lunch they were in a commanding position, adding 91 before being dismissed for 319. Haddin blasted their advantage past 400 with a six to long-on from Paul Harris and next ball repeated the result with a smooth strike over long-off. He immediately followed it with a four straight down the ground, but later in the over was stumped aiming for his hundred.
The strong showing of the Australian tail also included Krejza picking up 32, Johnson 21 and Siddle hanging around for 4. Krejza, who was another victim of de Villiers’ outstanding catching, left following a 79-run partnership that turned the game by forcing South Africa’s chase into record-breaking territory. Smith gave them hope, but at least one of his team-mates will have to match his substance.
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Aus to go 1-0 up by end of play tomorrow. 😈
Will have to be like the 2nd highest run chase EVER if we win.
@McLovin (Comment 1) :
I have a feeling I am getting my hopes up for nothing. 😳 (feel the same way i do at the start of each S14 season. 🙂 )
I hope they prove me wrong.
Go Proteas!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : If we win this one it will be a big step towards being truly the no.1 side in the world. Tomorrow will seperate the men fom the boys.
@McLovin (Comment 4) :
True, let’s hope Div and Kallis deliver.
4 hours to start of play.
it’s 01:30 here right now i need to get to bed if i wanna watch as much as i can before leaving for work in the am. 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : 01:30. Watching porn again? 😉 Going to bed myself. Today was xmas shopping part two. Even with a middagslapie & I’m still knackered.. 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : According to Keo – South Africa have never lost a Test where Smith has scored a century. 😯
I’m off to bed. Will awake sometime between lunch & tea, By which time the result should be obvious. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 6) :
😆 Kette was sitting next to me, so no porn. 😛
Kallis edges one JUST past hos wicket and it goes for four, bringing up our 300.
302/3
on 111 required Kallis gets caught by Hussey off Johnson.
Kallis goes on 57.
JP Duminy comes in.
Will he be luckier in the 2nd innings.
303/4
okay and we get a single to move off of a Nelson required.
I think this Pummy Mbangwa has got a classic voice and will go down in history.
Voices I have really enjoyed in Sport.
Bill Mclaren
Richie Benaud
Duminy being tangled up a bit by Johnson
First hit on the gloves then hit on the shoulder.
AB Div showing a lot more sense than Kallis in the first innings by keeping the strike away from Duminy giving Duminy time to settle. 😎
Since 1992 the average score for South Africa’s last six wickets is 144.
Last ball ov the over and AB Div takes a single to keep the strike. 😎
THAT is how a senior partner should play.
hey I see it is Molly’s Birthday today.
Happy Birthday Molly,
😯 😯 The Aussie TV team obviously think we are going to win.
Graphic in the corner showed :
RSA 4/316
SA WIN!!
for a second
98 needed for the win
AB Div almost runs himself out trying to keep the strike. 😳
Great Yorker to end the 1st session but AB Div keeps it out.
Lunch – Day 5
SA 322/4
92runs required.
Time for breakfast.
Just watching some of the Kiwi / West indies highlights.
Good to see them using technology and refering decisions to the 3rd umpire. Totally beyond me as to why they don’t let US hear the umpires speak.
England have 1 run having lost 2 wickets already. 😯
Right. I’m here to keep you company.
@klempie (Comment 26) :
cool.
As long as Rob stays off this thread 😉
80 needed…
Commentators commenting how quite is in there compared to when Warne used to bowl.
None of that “BOWLED WARNY” from behind the stumps. 😛
But it is generally pretty quiet.
@KSA (27): indeed!
Was that Duminy’s first Test 4? 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 31) :
They’ve just shown his batting figures and YES it was his 1st four. 😎
Duminy wears an earring. 😯 😳 🙁
Cook 20 off 21 balls
FIGJAM 22 off 26 balls
45/2 England have recovered pretty well
68 needed…
Aussie bowling hasn’t looked very accurate today.
@klempie (Comment 36) :
And as we get closer to that psychological 350 they will be getting more and more frustrated.
And this is the bit i have been dreading. 🙁
I have to leave for bahrain now. 🙁
Go Proteas!!!!!!!
Club a wallaby.
Aus heads dropping. 😎
Aww unlucky dude. I’ll hold down the fort.
57 needed.
molweni people of the palace
Right I’m switching over to Aussie commentary to hear some whining. 🙂
@klempie (Comment 42) : theres an idea
What you on about PJ?
49 needed…
No wait. JP smashes Krejza back over his head for 6. 😎
40 needed…
@klempie (Comment 44) : changing of commentary
Go PROTEAS…
@PJLD (47): No I meant about molweni
I’m worried Rob will show his face. 😮
30 needed.
@klempie (Comment 49) : oooh!nothing else to say
Lets just hope Rob is out running
4 more
AB 99
AB goes to a match winning 100! Unless Rob has anything to do with it of course…
Well done boy!
12 needed…
AB 103 😎
100 partnership up. Massive!
4 more!
HAHA! 4 byes takes it to 7 needed.
Well played AB…well played TEAM. Even Rob cant mess this up now. I think Im gonna cry. 🙂
South Africa! WIIIIIIIN!!!
JP gets 50.
What a game!
boykie!
BOYKIES!Well played boys,good stuff!
LOL BS. I am watering up. Now…where is Rob when you need him? 👿
Roooob!
LOL PJLD!
Right I’m outta here okes. Enjoy the warm glow of victory for the rest of the day. 🙂
What a result! Well done Smith & co. 😀
@PJLD (Comment 52) : I was sleeping!
Well done Proteas. Even a blind squirrel is bound to find a nut eventually.
Like the Sharks when they won the CC Rob?
Well done to the Proteas! I cant wait to read what the Aussie press is gonna say? They’ll probably call for Ponting’s head as well as Hayden who has been hopelessly out of form
LOL @ 71! Touche! Seems the blind squirrel has picked up 4 nuts in a row this year.
70 *
So far 4 of the top 10 run scorers for 2008 are Seff Effrican.
Smith; Amla; De Villiers & McKenzie.
Aus have 1 – Ponting at 10.
India also have four.
The remaining spot goes to KP at 8.
Bowling wise, in terms of wickets we have 3 in the top 10.
Steyn; Ntini & Morkel.
@klempie (Comment 73) : Major contribution from Kallis as well. 1 more point to him. 😀
Just to think Steyn is yet to find his rhythm on this tour…
you see? They do better when I don’t support them.
Just to prove my point, I’m going to support the Pro-tears with everything I’ve got for the second test. They will get stuffed… 😈
What an Awesome result. 😎
rather unhappy that i wasn’t around to witness it but damn what a good feeling to text Aussie friends. 😆
You have Aussie friends? 😯
@wpw (Comment 81) :
Aquintances may be a better choice of word. 😛 😉
PROTEAS!!!
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 83) :
I still can’t get over this win.
My tande kry warm.
@McLovin (Comment 2) : We did THAT.
@McLovin (Comment 7) : Have cetainly kept THAt record intact.
@McLovin (Comment 8) : And it was obvious.
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆