South Africa celebrate after clinching the series
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
South Africa seamers Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada proved to be too much for Australia to handle as they ripped through the Baggy Greens’ batting line-up to not only lead their side to an innings and 80-run win, but also give the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Abbott and Rabada’s speared through Australia with raw pace as South Africa won their third consecutive series Down Under, with the other two having come in 2008/09 and 2012.
Starting off the day on 121/2, Australia were dealt a big blow early on as batsman Usman Khawaja was caught behind off the bowling of Abbott for 64, which came off 121 balls and included nine boundaries.
Following Khawaja’s dismissal, Abbott and Rabada worked in tandem as Australia’s middle and lower order crumbled in the blink of an eye.
Captain Steven Smith fought valiantly despite witnessing the carnage going on around him, but his resistance was put to an end when he was caught behind off the bowling of Rabada for 31.
Once Smith was back in the pavilion, Australia’s slim hope of salvaging the Test match was extinguished as Abbott took out Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to bowl the Baggy Greens out for 161.
All in all, Australia faced 558 deliveries in the match, which is their fourth-lowest in a Test match loss on home soil and their lowest since the legendary Don Bradman made his debut way back in 1928.
Abbott inflicted the most damage as he finished with six wickets, while Rabada picked up four wickets.
Abbott finished with figures of 6-77 off 23.1 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Smith was stunned at what had happened before his eyes, and said: “For us, it was just about trying to fight and try to bat for the day. If we bat for the day, we could have got 280 or 300. South Africa hit good areas and I don’t think I scored for the first 11 overs in the day. They challenged our defences and we have to find a way to be resilient and find a way to stay in the middle. Whether it’s spinning, seaming or swinging, we will have to find a way to be successful.
“Credit to South Africa, the way they bowled was magnificent. Stick with us, we are working hard, and we will have to be a little bit more resilient. We have been outplayed in the first two Tests, we have lost the last five Test matches. We will have to play better cricket in Adelaide. We will have to find ways to get this Australian team over the line. This series is gone now. We’re going to work hard and play a lot better cricket in Adelaide.”
South Africa stand-in captain Faf du Plessis was over the moon to have wrapped up the series, and said: “Yesterday we were exceptional, we made sure we were relentless. I am so happy for Abbott, he sits out most of the time with the great bowlers we have. I am chuffed he got a six-for and won a massive game of cricket for us. Vern on a wicket like that is going to be very tough. He set the tone for us.
“Everything we did in the match, the catch was phenomenal. Quinny played an exceptional knock with Temba. Enjoy it and celebrate it with us [message to AB and Steyn]. Australia is one of the toughest places to come and win. I am just proud of the way the team is moving forward. We are looking to go for places that may have seemed unlikely. This is a very special moment. There is an opportunity to play the pink ball and beat Australia 3-0. Not many teams have done that.”
Abbott was named Man of the Match, and said: “I have been waiting for the opportunity and I made the most [of it]. When I get the opportunity, I just bowl my heart out. With the sun not coming out, always thought there was something in the pitch. Top off with the odd bouncer [is the plan]. We go into each series knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the batsmen.”