JP Duminy’s outstanding maiden century provided more evidence for South African claims they are the best side in the world on a day when Australia flopped, fumbled and allowed a stunning recovery that almost certainly ended their chances of winning the series.
Peter English writes for cricinfo that while the hosts were lifeless, the visitors were inspired by Duminy’s fresh 166 in his second Test and Dale Steyn and Paul Harris followed in exceptional and irritating stands that stole the game from Australia.
South Africa started the morning 196 behind with only three wickets – and a wobbly tail – remaining and wanted a miracle to avoid a large deficit in reply to Australia’s 394. It came through Duminy and his bowlers as they controlled an under-manned attack and posted a magnificent 459. Even a year ago this sort of charity would have been unthinkable, but the Australians had another long day in the field to consider their revised position in the world order.
Ricky Ponting was missing Brett Lee, who had a sore left foot, but given the way he has bowled during the series it was not as costly as it would have been six months earlier. Most of their pain came from Duminy, but he was joined by the No. 10 Steyn, who gathered an unlikely 76 in a performance that exposed the young attack and rallied South Africa to the point where when they were finally dismissed they owned a 65-run lead.
A day earlier there was the threat of the follow-on, but at stumps they were in charge. Australia survived three overs and picked up four runs, while Matthew Hayden gained a bruise on his chest from Makhaya Ntini.
In a courageous partnership of 180, the third-highest ninth-wicket stand in history, Duminy stayed cool and Steyn battled through the pain of a stinging blow on each hand to frustrate the home side and delight their own. Duminy, 24, continued his amazing start after being a key component in the record-breaking chase in Perth last Sunday.
Duminy looked as nerveless as a veteran such as Graeme Smith or Jacques Kallis while he carefully added to his collection and continued his rapid development. A couple of pull shots went for four off Nathan Hauritz, but it was not really a day for flourishes, and he nudged and scampered towards three figures. He spent half an hour in the 90s – not that the time mattered – and there was relief when he cut Peter Siddle through gully for four, raised both arms and kissed his helmet badge.
His team-mates lined up to cheer as they wondered at the effort that gone into the recovery. Duminy appeared fresh despite staying throughout the day, facing 340 balls and hitting 18 fours, including fine cover drives from Siddle and Mitchell Johnson after his century. A sweep to Hauritz (3 for 98) lobbed to Siddle to extinguish the excellence and Duminy left the ground with people lining up to congratulate him.
Steyn, who could have retired hurt after being struck on the left hand by Johnson, continued to expand on his personal best. His peak came when he hit Johnson for two straight drives for four and mirrored the shot off Siddle to bring up his half-century. His memorable innings, which ended when bowled by Siddle, took 191 balls and included nine fours and the six off Hauritz.
Not only did South Africa add 261 runs on the third day, but they took significant time away from Ponting’s team, which needs a victory to level the three-match contest. Ponting is unlikely to be generous with a target following South Africa’s pursuit of 414 at the WACA, although he might be left with no option with only six sessions remaining. However, these scenarios rely on Australia’s under-pressure order performing strongly.
If the batsmen copy the effort in the field South Africa will own the series by Tuesday. The same attack that was so potent on day two was able to manage only one wicket – the No. 9 Harris – in the first four hours. It was Michael Hussey, the most casual of part-timers, who broke through the 67-run stand that started the revival, with Johnson taking a fine running catch when Harris (39) heaved to deep mid-on.
There were misfields, penalty runs for hitting an unused helmet, overthrows and missed catches, including Ponting dropping Steyn on 32. Poor Hussey could not get within two metres of a Steyn shot that went straight up and followed the path of the sun, and Hauritz spilt a caught-and-bowled.
Siddle finished with 4 for 81, taking a day between his third and fourth wickets, while Johnson was used heavily in gaining 2 for 127 in 39 overs. The inexperienced men tried but were ineffective in dealing with a side that is more talented and committed than its hosts.
Tweet
Commentators: There are some good headlines around today, one of the better ones being about Hussey’s missed catch yesterday. “Mr Cricket now Mr Sitter” 😆 😆
Aussie ARE good with their puns.
Mr Cricket now Mr OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
Hussey out caught off the head
Yesterday we were upset at ourselves for not getting up.
I think we are glad we made the effort today. 😛
49/3
effectively -16/3 😉
😆 Commentator: “I have no sympathy, noooo SYMPATHY WHATSOEVER for the Australians.” And then he goes on to explain the culture of walking when you are out and says the Aussies refuse to do it and this is payback 😆 😆
LMAO at Dar giving that out! So so sweet!
@klempie (Comment 6) :
Ponting’s face on the replay is worth a million dollars.
I’m listening to the Aussie commentators KSA. Who said that?
LOL @ the weasel Punter’s reaction to the decision.
@ comment 7. You beat me to it.
Geez…Chapell’s whinging about a gully position Biff’s got in saying it’s a stupid position! Helloooo! You’re 3 down with a deficit still! 🙄
You know I don’t even think a series win for SA will shut that blowhard off!
BRETT LEE appears to have paid a heavy price for his gruelling 2008 campaign. The leader of the Australian pace attack was stood down from bowling yesterday, and will miss the Sydney Test and possibly the tour of South Africa with a stress reaction to his left foot
I wonder if he will be able to bat in this innings?
@klempie (Comment 8) :
I’m listening to the SA Audio, whoever is in there with Mbangwa at the moment, I think it is Grieg.
Aus have a 1 run lead now.
66/3 and if Lee can’t bat then it is actually 66/4
Yeh. I said that in the last thread when I was talking to fresh air.
Comments on an Aussie site. 😛
I cant understand why commentators call this test between 1 & 2 nations try 1 an last grrrrrr
tragic (29/12/08 – 11:41 AM)
Is it 1983 again? Are we the worst team in the world again? What a terrible couple of days.
kc (29/12/08 – 11:41 AM)
Ed, was the decision erally that bad – I have heard Huss should never have been out.
Ange (29/12/08 – 11:40 AM)
Given the situation though I would think he’ll bat with a runner.
@ 17 -Beautiful. Hehe
@klempie (Comment 16) :
A yorker or six at his feet would be the way to get him out
@klempie (Comment 17) :
from:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/popup.html
Are you working today boet?
Haydos, Karma is a bitch isn?t..?Not long ago, you blamed India’s Third World status,for the loss and turned around and acted as an obedient slave to make the most of the IPL riches, again from a Third World pay master.
If anyone, gave back his own medicine?they are obnoxious weed..!
Mate, according to me, you are just an ordinary cricketer with an extra ordinary ego. When you first came in to the International arena, you could not match up to the skills of Mark Waugh, Allan Border facing up quality bowling from Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Allan Donald etc and made your come back when the quality of bowling stock was depleted. Yes, you would be remembered for one thing,for being a “flat track bully” be with your bat or mouth!
Onya bike,Mathew!
Kraj (29/12/08 – 12:03 PM)
Someone doesn’t like Hayden. 😆
@klempie (Comment 20) :
yes, I am. 🙁 will be there, but don’t know how much work will get done. 🙂
HAHA! Hayden’s copping it big. When you’ve got fans like Aussies who needs enemies. It’s wonderful seeing all of them turn on each other. 🙂
@ 22 I dunno how you do it! How many hours are you ahead of us? 2?
@klempie (Comment 24) :
only 1 hour ahead.
Geez man. How much sleep are you getting? 😯
😯 mcKenzie get’s killed at what can only be called a suicide spot. 😯
OUCH
@klempie (Comment 26) :
enough. 🙂
Mac is standing at ridiculously stupid mid off. Like 1.5m from the bat and Ponting smashes it straight into his mid riff. Didn’t seem hurt.
LUNCH
86/3
see ya in a bit
Right. Time for a wake up shower and a shave. I loathe facial hair. Itchy. Plus I don’t think I can bear listening to Ngam’s “insights”.
OK I’m back and feeling a gazillion times better.
Ponting gets 50.
Double strike from Steyntjie! Clarke swats his kak first ball to short cover and 5 balls later nicks Symmonds off. 145/5!
Come on boys!
Aus have to shut up shop now. They have to bat time IMO.
Aus lead by 100 with 5 wickets left.
Make that 4 wickets. 😉 Haddin goes after a wide one from Makhy.
Lee is out there now without a runner and apparently he’s said he will try and bowl a few overs in the last innings.
Haddin out.
165/6
100 lead
Ah. You’re back.
Greig and Lawry nearly got into a lover’s spat over Ponting’s position as captain.
@klempie (Comment 41) :
😆 😆 I love in-fighting amongst the opposition. 😆 😆
Okay, my turn for a shower and then i’m off to work.
back in a bit.
HAHA! Now Greig is taking the piss at Lawry touring SA when Greig was a boy and talking himself up and getting soundly whipped by the Pollocks and Richards et al.
Lee Bowled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tea
180/7
Aus lead by 115 with 7 wickets down.
Yehhhhh! KALLIS gets Lee to inside edge onto to stumps in the last over before tea!
181/7 with a lead of 150.
KSA. Kind request boet. Please keep Rob OFF this thread today! 😈 Ta.
Right. Bacon and eggs for me. See you in a bit.
Woohoo! Come on South Africa!!! I love it when we give it to the Aussies. Do you think Punter’s job is on the line?
I wouldn’t think so. I mean, who else is there? That said, Aus haven’t been in this position since before Ponting debuted. Who knows HOW they will react? But then again why do WE care?? 🙂
Not too shabby bacon and eggs if I do say so myself.
wes are you listening to the Aussie commentary and HOW THEY ARE EQUATING 5-FORS TO CENTURIES?? 😛
@klempie (Comment 48) :
😆 By the time he wakes up the day’s play will have ended.
Hopefully. 😉
@wpw (Comment 50) :
I don’t think so. He is batting very well and the guy who has been told that he has to take over once Ponting calls it a day is having a shocker as well so, Ponting will be there as captain in the next test.
@klempie (Comment 52) :
Bacon. :grrrr: I am Jealous.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) :
From the same site.
WHAT DO YOU CALL AN AUSTRALIAN PLAYER…WHO HAS 100 RUNS AGAINST HIS NAME…???
AN OPENING BOLWER…!
NED KELLY (29/12/08 – 3:20 PM)
😆
Aus 200 up. 135 run lead.
@ comment 55: And I don’t even have a wife! 😀
@klempie (Comment 57) :
I would be happy with 250 to chase anything above that I would be concerned about time catching us.
Get PONTING!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 59) :
Having said that I don’t think we will chase more than 200.
Good morning…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 55) :
I have the wife, it’s the Bacon that is illegal in this country.
if i had bacon I”d be at home watching Kette cook it for me right now. 🙂
Oh sorry. You meant bacon fullstop! 😆 Unlucky bro. 😛
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 62) :
Good Morning,
I am glad i got up early this am. 😎
@klempie (Comment 64) :
😆
Looks like Ponting will get his 2nd century of the match so i suppose he wont get fired. Hey Blackshark, we are now 3 points clear of Chelsea!!!
Aus
205/7
Come on Proteas! Welcome BS. I must say, i’m disappointed with yours and wes’s commitment. I’ve been up since start of play! 🙄
KSA fix my spelling oops please and I may just forgive you for leaving me in bed at what hour to go watch cricket 😉 😳
Klempie – in reply to #52 – what do the Aussies know about cricket??
@ comment 67. I hope he gets 2 centuries in a LOSING CAUSE! 😈
@ comment 71: 🙄
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 70) :
Done.
All is forgiven now I hope. 😉
ponting facing – this could bring him up to his century 😡
and he is OUT
HAHAHAHAHA! Ponting caught in the covers on 99! ROFL!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 74) : thankyou muchly kind sir
@klempie (Comment 72) :
Accoring to the SMH scoreboard: There have been eight occasions on which a batsman has scored two centuries in losing Test team. A Strauss in Chennai last month the latest.
Aus
212/8
@KSA Shark © (Comment 79) :
Scrap that Comment he hasn’t made 2 centuries. 😳
GO Proteas!!!!!!!!
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 76) :
@klempie (Comment 77) :
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 80) :
Maybe i shoulda refreshed before posting that 2 century stat. 🙂
😆 😆 From Cricinfo
“The fans have started to stream out after Ponting’s dismissal,” says our man at the MCG, Brydon Coverdale “Maybe they were waiting for the century and are all just going to get more beers. More likely they’re so disillusioned they’re heading home to beat the traffic.
finally some new score ….
216/8
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 60) : Yeah!!!
guess i’m gonna miss the bus and not go shopping to see the rest of this then huh 😳
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 85) :
Now you need to Say Get Johnson. 😉
That four from Johnson took them past a 150 lead.
LMAO @ the replay of the Aussie crowd when he gets out.
@wpw (Comment 67) : Yeah…thanks to Fulham – also love the way we demolished Newcastle with all the changes that were made …looks like the whole team is starting to gel… YNWA!
they lead by 155 now
Aus
220/8
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 86) : Hey Kette…who needs new stuff anyway?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 87) : Get Johnson!!! 😡 😆
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 90) :
YNWA?
You’ll Never Win Anything?
😳 🙂
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 91) : Don’t want to chase anything more than 199…
What gives? Ever since Kette came on the formatting on my phone has gone screwey. Kette what are you doing to distract KSA from his duties? 😉
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 86) :
🙂
@klempie (Comment 95) : oops sorry
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 86) :
Just think how proud Cynthia will be of you staying home to watch the Proteas set up a victory over her side. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 93) : 👿 No comment – don’t wanna spoil this jolly Proteas thread. 😉
Speaking of spoiling threads- have you banned Rob from this one ? But then again he seems to be our lucky charm these days…
new ball due
Aus lead by 159
Warnie’s going all YMCA on Slats telling him how good he looks with his shirt off. 🙄
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 100) : Did someone say Hurricane Steyn?! FrankenSTEYN?!
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 99) :
I have changed his alarm clock setting so he will only wake up after the play has finished. 😉
Score anyone?
@wpw (Comment 104) : Aus 228/8, lead by 163
Who got Punter’s wicket? Steyn?
@klempie (Comment 101) :
Maybe he sent a photo via text message to his girlfriend to show her what he looks like 😳
77 overs, 3 overs before the new ball
Fanks Mrs KSA Shark 😀
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 102) :
I think the Aussies know that when Steyn and Ntini get that new ball in 3 overs time, they are going to be up Sh1t creek without a paddle, so they are trying to score as many runs now as they can.
@wpw (Comment 106) :
Bowled Morkel caught by Smith
@wpw (Comment 106) : Morkel caught Smith
So is is true that Michael Slater slept wiff the wife of one of his teammates?
@klempie (Comment 101) :
Seems someone else also heard that.
The only thing that worries Shane Warne is hair loss. Maybe he should listen to some of his comments. Id be worried about them if I was him.
Armitage Shanks (29/12/08 – 4:50 PM)
Yeah!!! Woohoo! Kallis!!!
😆 😆
😆 😆
Heeeeeeehehhehehehehe
Our new years resolution is to smoke less drugs before selecting national sporting teams…
Australian Selectors (29/12/08 – 4:48 PM)
Hauritz bowled!
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 115) :
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
78.6 Kallis to Hauritz, OUT, bowls em with the off cutter! Hauritz stands rooted and pushes at one that pitches back of a length and breaches his defences, making 9 for 231
NM Hauritz b Kallis 3 (31m 23b 0x4 0x6) SR: 13.04
grrr kids missed the wicket 👿
Aus
234/9
new ball is due now !
Maybe we won’t need Steyn to bowl ’em out now… he might be opening the batting with Biff
79.5 Harris to Siddle, 1 run, his home side chant their support as Siddle opens his account with a clipped single to the man at midwicket
And now he will have to face the new ball in the next over if it is taken.
The crowd should rather have groaned when he took the single
Isn’t it nice seeing the Aussies so deep in the sh*thole?
Siddle is spared that new ball…… for now. It seems Johnson will face it.
79.6 Harris to Johnson, 1 run, frees the arms and clips that one from outside off down the ground
The new ball is available and has been taken by Smith. Steyn duly takes it up. Can he get ten?
new ball coming in now – mid over ????
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 120) : 😛
So if we win who will the MOTM be? Steyn for his 9 or 10 wicket hail and 76 runs or JP for his 166?
Hope the last wicket goes to Steyn…crossing fingers…
yeah bring back warne..
it will def bring mroe single mothers to the game… WE LOVE WANRE!!
dicko (29/12/08 – 4:52 PM)
Bowling attack in my backyard at the moment better than current Aussie bowling attack!
Anonymous (29/12/08 – 4:53 PM)
Mitchell Johnson is the hottest spunk ever to play the game for Australia. I want his lovechild. Yes I am a gay man who is also a cricket lover – scary ! 😯 😯 😯 😯
Stephen B (29/12/08 – 4:54 PM)
lead is up to 175
Ntini coming in to bowl
@wpw (Comment 126) : Really hard to choose – but I’d go with Steyn…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 128) : Aussies are a funny bunch!
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 124) :
I saw that??????????????
80.6 Steyn to Johnson, no run, presses him on the crease and he defends off the back foot
80.5 Steyn to Johnson, 2 runs, well played, Johnson, pushing the ball through cover and point
80.4 Steyn to Johnson, no run, comes back in with the angle and Johnson defends
80.3 Steyn to Johnson, no run, pitches well wide of off stump and Johnson leaves well enough alone
Immediately Smith asks Aleem Dar for the new ball. Steyn changes the angle.
80.2 Steyn to Johnson, FOUR, too wide and Johnson slashes it over backward point for four
80.1 Steyn to Johnson, no run, short of a length, pitches outside leg, Johnson tries to flick it away but ends up playing it back to a revved-up Steyn
The new ball is available and has not been taken by Smith. Steyn comes back. Can he get ten?
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 131) :
Damn Right
From cricinfo :
Wilbs: “Here’s a twist – weather forecast for Melb tomorrow: “Cloudy. The chance of thunderstorms during the morning. Areas of rain easing to isolated showers by the afternoon. Winds northwesterly averaging up to 30 km/h tending southwesterly up to 45 km/h during the morning”.
😈 The Aussies have already started doing the rain-dance…
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 134) :
Let’s hope the Aussie weather forecasters are as good as their cricket team. 😉
lead is up to 182 👿
247/9
84 overs done
247/9
@KSA Shark © (Comment 135) : 😆
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steyn!!!!
and they done !!!!
247 all out !
Steyn! Centuries in each innings and a 76! Target is 182.
4.2 Steyn to Siddle, OUT, 150 wickets from 30 Tests! Steyn bursts into tears after Siddle tickles a shorter off cutter through to Boucher, capping a wonderful Test match, ten wickets and a fifty
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO
Go Proteas.
How many overs do they loose for an innings switch?
Steyn now has ten wickets and a fifty in this Test, joining a fairly elite list of players. Prior to his achievement only 21 players had done this, and just one – Daniel Vettori – since 2000.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 142) : Don’t know…but according to cricinfo we still have about 10 overs left…
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 143) :
i wonder how many have 2 fifties and 10 wickets in a test. 😉
STEYN to get at least 5 wickets to win us the game and win himself the MOM… Come on PROTEAS!!!
Comment 49, posted at 28.12.08 08:15:15 by blckshrk – PROTEAS
😎
right we’re in …
lee is opening the bowling
smith & mckenzie are facing
@KSA Shark © (Comment 145) : I hope Steyn will not have to add to his 76… 😀
Smith opens with a four? 😯
and we open with a 4 woo-hoo
First Ball from Lee.
0.1 Lee to Smith, FOUR
😀
we have approximately half an hour of play left in the day
🙁 Can’t we just keep playing 😈 …hate waiting till tomorrow to win…
Time for McKenzie to redeem himself…surely he’s under less pressure this time around…
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 148) :
WHAT?????????? Is he not opening with Smith? 😛
Awesome test match..come boys its there for the taking…man I need to get some sleep..seeing 2 games at the same time 😕
Well done to Steyn !
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 152) :
It means I will have to get up early to watch the game tomorrow. 🙁
I would gladly sacrifice sleep to have a view of Ricky Ponting.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 154) : Maybe he’ll come on for that slow Kallis 😆
The peach of this has been to listen how the aussie commentaors have waffled on throughout and some had to eat their words..
Warne has been class though , nothing but praise for SA.
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 155) :
🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 156) : Guess we’ll all have an early morning tomorrow…
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 158) :
Which Showsport is it on? I only have 1 and 2. Would love to listen to the Aussie commentators tomorrow morning.
(I have no control over the Superspot Audio) 🙁
May the boundaries keep flowing…
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 160) :
Sharksworld won’t know what hit it that early in the morning. 😛
what’s the state of play?
HAHA! Mc bowled off a Lee no ball!
@robdylan (Comment 164) : And it’s our talisman… 😀
Rob get the hell out of here!
@klempie (Comment 165) : Thanks to Rob…even McKenzie’s luck is changing…
❓ ❓ ❓ ❓
Nothing has gone Australia’s way. McKenzie survives. Now Billy Doctrove reverses his decision and says dead-ball, so thats not a boundary and four are docked off the runs. Apparently Hayden ran from first slip and stopped the ball. The umpires have no clue as to whats happening.
2.6 Lee to McKenzie, no run, thats a full length and McKenzie soundly stifles the ball to point
2.6 Lee to McKenzie, 1 no ball, bowled him … no, its a no-ball! Frustration for Lee, who sneaks one past McKenzie, hitting the top of off stump identical to how he was cleaned up in the first innings but Lee has overstepped … what agony for the bowler .. hang on, the ball ricocheted down to fine leg and the umpires are debating whether its a boundary and then they call it a four … wow, its all happening at the MCG
Smith – 25 runs from 18 balls 😯
Does he know it’s not 20/20 ?
@robdylan (Comment 164) :
hey!!!!!!!!
Go back to bed. That Mckenzie ALMOST dismissal was a warning 😉
SA
29/0
target 183
anyone? Anyone? GO PROTEAS!
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 170) :
He’s won the Test Series so he is starting to practice for the one dayers. 🙄
Commentators on Radio 2000 saying Mc must just put bat to ball and run when Smith says YES… 😆
thats it for the day ….
seems it’ll be an early morning again tomorrow 🙄 😉
Right guys. 150 runs to glory with 10 wickets in hand. See you all tomorrow bright and early…except Rob of course.
STumps Day 4
Australia 394 & 247
South Africa 459 & 30/0
South Africa’s target is 183 they need 153 more runs with 10 wickets in hand
hey now – didn’t I say I’m actually supporting them this time around?
@klempie (Comment 177) : You think my boss will mind if I’m late for work tomorrow…get here around 10 or something?
@blckshrk – PROTEAS (Comment 180) :
I think it will be over well before 10. 🙂
I expect it to be wrapped up in two sessions if things continue the way they started today.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 181) : I know…but I need time to celebrate as well…
Some interesting stats from cricinfo:
The 180-run partnership between JP Duminy and Dale Steyn is the third-highest for the ninth wicket, just 15 short of the record stand between Mark Boucher and Pat Symcox against Pakistan in 1998. It’s the highest by any team against and in Australia.
South Africa’s last four wickets put together 318, which is a record for them, and only the 11th instance in Test cricket – and the second in 2008 – of the last four adding more than 300. Ironically, the Australians, who were at the receiving end this time, had begun the year by inflicting similar misery on the Indians in the controversial Sydney Test, when Andrew Symonds’ unbeaten 162 had helped the team add 329 for the last four wickets.
Duminy was the recognised batsman, but Steyn, whose previous highest Test score was an unbeaten 33, proved his batting credentials quite convincingly. During the 63.4 overs that the partnership lasted, Steyn took exactly 50% of the strike, facing 191 deliveries, and struck ten boundaries (nine fours and a six). Duminy was only slightly more aggressive, scoring 92 during the stand.
Steyn’s 76 is the second-highest score by a South African No.10 batsman, and only the fifth time one of them has reached a half-century
The heroics from Duminy and Steyn ensured that Australia conceded the first-innings lead in Melbourne for the first time in 12 years. The last team which managed this was West Indies, in 1996, when they bowled Australia out for 219 and then scored 255 in a match they eventually won by six wickets.
Ponting became only the second player – Geoffrey Boycott is the other – to score 99 and a century in the same Test.
Jacques Kallis will soon become the eighth man to score 10,000 Test runs – he is only 53 short – and he will be the only one of the group with 100 Test wickets to his name as well. In fact, Kallis has been such an enduring allrounder that he now has 250 Test victims. He brought up the milestone with the last ball before tea, when he bowled Brett Lee.
@McLovin (Comment 189) : Certainly he’d have to be considered one of the greatest all-rounders ever?
@Baldrick (Comment 190) : Statistically he certainly is. Don’t think many come even close. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 191) : In terms of runs scored that is. Sobers scored around 8000 runs & took 235 wickets.
But then again I dont think sobers ever played against Zim, Bangladesh etc.
Only two players, excluding Kallis, have taken 250+ wickets and scored more than 5000 runs.
Botham scored 5200 & took 383 wickets &
Kapil Dev scored 5848 & 434 wickets.
Kallis needs 5 more hundreds to go 3rd of all time in terms of hundreds scored. 😎 But still no double ton. 👿
Mc, When is the last time Aus lost a series at Home?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 196) : 1992/93 against WI. I think.
1992/93 West Indies 2-1
@McLovin (Comment 198) :
Thanks
Okay, here’s one more and a cheeky one it certainly is.
When is the last time they lost a series 3-0 in Aus? 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 199) : 1886 against Eng.
@McLovin (Comment 200) : No wait. That was in Eng. 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 199) : Never. 😯
@McLovin (Comment 200) : 😯
@McLovin (Comment 201) : 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 202) : Thanks.
😯 😯 😯 😯
Well THAT There is the incentive Biff and the Boys need.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 204) : They have only twice lost a three match series 3-0.
1886 in Eng & 1982/83 in Pakistan.
Only lost 3-0 four times in their history.
And we shouldn’t forget we gave them their only 4-0 hiding in 1970. 😎
They did lose a 6 test match series 5-1 to Eng in 1978/79 season. 😯
Eng beat them 4-1 3 times in Aus – 1911/12; 1928/29 & 1932/33 seasons.
@McLovin (Comment 205) :
Now i’m really pushing my luck, 😛 but was there then maybe a whitewash in a 4 or 5 match Series in Aus at some stage?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 210) : Nope. 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 211) :
Cool.
GO PROTEAS!!!!!!!!!
Give ’em some Biff.
@McLovin (Comment 206) : So too SA. But all four times were 3 match series.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 212) : Steady…..we got to get those 150 odd runs tomorrow before we can start crowing…..remember what Farnie did to them some years back????
Glenn McGrath predicted Australia will whitewash South Africa 3-0 in the upcoming Test series. 😆 😆 😆
@McLovin (Comment 215) : I guess he forgot he wasn’t playing 😈
@Me2 (Comment 214) : 😆
If Lee was fit I would be worried, but I think we are safe, provided Rob stays in bed until the match is over. 😉
@Me2 (Comment 216) : Yeah and Warne and Waugh etc. , but I think he always make those kind of predictions.. 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 218) : Talking of Warne..believe he & Biff are now great friends…maybe he’s been giving Biff some lessons in hoe to be a captain 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 217) : Surprised he hasn’t been on here maoning about…”this is a RUGBY site” etc. 🙄 😆
@McLovin (Comment 215) :
that’s Like Rob saying the Sharks will be undefeated in the 2009 S14. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 221) : Talking about S14..I wish could push a “Fast forward” button to February 😉
@Me2 (Comment 220) :
He knows when he is outnumbered. 😛
@Me2 (Comment 222) :
I am looking forward to it, MIGHT be changing Jobs but hopefully it will only come AFTER the S14, so that I don’t miss any matches. 🙂
hey now… why all the picking on poor little me?
@robdylan (Comment 225) :
😆
@robdylan (Comment 225) : WOW…the “real”, power tool man has emerged…greetings!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 224) : Are you thinking of coming back to SA or going elsewhere?
@Me2 (Comment 228) :
Just changing companies in KSA. Have received a Job offer from Aramco but have to wait for my current employer to agree to an NOC.
NOC is a No Objection certificate. In KSA if you want to change jobs your current (or previous if you have left the country) employer has to agree to you changing Jobs.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 224) : hey why is there news ?????? 😯
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 230) : Ooooops!!!!
Hi Kette…did u have a good Christmas? How was the Christmas pudding???
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 230) :
No nothing yet, still dragging their heels as usual. 🙁
@Me2 (Comment 231) : Hey there Me2, Christmas was good, would have been better back home but then …..
How was yours ?
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 233) : Had a lovely time with friends..but..missed my Daughter…did have a chance to chat 2 her twice though and have just finished chatting with her on Skype…now she is back in London, we can communicate more often. 🙂
Cheers all….out of here…chat again tomorrow!!
@Me2 (Comment 235) :
Cheers.
get up early and join us for the run in to the series victory.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 161) :
Sorry KSA succumbed to tiredness and passd out..its on showsports 2, I hope biff continues where he left off tomorrow so then I can get some sleep.
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 237) :
that’s cool, so I can listen to the Aussies and their excuses. 😎
Seems I am the most committee of all of us!
Go Proteas! Give those convicts some mental scars!
committed 😳
How big a committee are you? 😉
LOL. Hardly anyone at the ground to see the Saffer win. 🙂
@klempie (Comment 242) :
I just said the same thing on the other thread. The support has gone away and just yesterday the Aussies were bragging, on the SMH live feed site, about their audiences regardless of the outcome of the game. 🙄