South Africa's batsmen were on course for a most extraordinary Test victory by stumps after Australia had contrived to be splintered for 47, and in doing so kick away a dominant position on an incomprehensible second day at Newlands.
In all, 23 wickets fell for 294 runs, 19 of them in an uninterrupted landslide of skilful bowling and abject batting between lunch and the first hour after tea.
Australia's 47 was their lowest total since 1902 and fourth lowest of all time, overshadowing the fact that South Africa had themselves been routed for a comparatively bountiful 96 in the afternoon, and left the hosts with a target of only 236 having given up a first-innings lead of 188.
Australia was bowled out in just 18 overs (less than a T20 innings!), but narrowly ignored even greater ignomany; for some time, it seemed as though New Zealand's low test score of 26 (vs England in 1955) was finally going to be erased from the record books. Australia's seventh, eighth and ninth wickets fell at 21, and only a last-wicket stand of 26 between Siddle and Lyon averted even redder blushes for the Aussies. You can view the scoreboard carnage for yourself here.
We've been supporters of New Zealand cricket since the very early 1960's, s we've had to weather all sorts of adversity in that time. We trust that you'll excuse us having a slight gloat towards our trans-Tasman cousins this morning.
UPDATE: Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, here's the "highlights" of Australia's second innings; Don Bradman would be turning in his grave!
3 comments:
This post needs a picture of Nelson Muntz.
Who is/was Nelson Muntz.
He's the boy that points and says "Ha ha!" on the Simpsons.
I have to say, I'm in trivia heaven today:
The eighth time a number 11 has top-scored. The last time was Steve Harmison for England against SA at the same ground in 2005.
Only the second time that a part of all four innings has been played on a single day. The last time was Day2 of England v West Indies at Lords in 2000.
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