What an absorbing day of cricket it was. At the end of the day, it was cricket that was the winner. The match is not over, but I was overwhelmed by today's play. I am talking about the final test between Australia and South Africa. The second day started with an anticipation if there will be a fairy tale in store for the day with this being Punter's last test. But soon we all realized that fairy tales, after all, are fairy tales.
After 12 wickets fell on day 1, and the no. 1 South Africa being bundled out for 225 (thanks to Faf, and his two partnerships with the lower order, else it would have been even lower), apart from Ponting's innings every cricket lover was interested to know how South Africa was going to prevent its no. 1 spot. South Africa already had a good start taking 2 of the Australian wickets on day 1. South African pace battery pressed on the accelerator and induced the Australian downfall. By the end of 17th over, Australia was 45/6. Then some gritty innings from Mathew Wade saved the face of Australia and they finished their innings at a meager 163, good 62 runs short of the Proteas. All this happened before Tea.
With just one session to go and 3 full days left, one would have expected South Africa to build on their lead gradually without losing any wicket. But South Africa had other intentions. Not that they did not want to build on the lead, but the way they approached the game was a surprise, at least to me. Alviro Petersen started from the word go and scored a quick 23 off just 20 balls before being caught and bold by Jhonson's athletic effort. I thought now that they have lost a wicket, they will slow down, but it was not the case. Hashim Amla came and went even harder than Alviro. He was scoring at a strike rate of 135+. On the other end Greame Smith was also scoring at a good rate, around 80+. Their partnership added 178 before Smith got out at 84 with Lyon taking a brilliant catch. He was very unfortunate not to get a 100.
Then came Kallis. He was not as belligerent as his team mates. It was understandable, as the day was about to end and he did not want SA to lose any further wicket and lose the advantage. His tentative approach certainly gave the Aussies a much needed chance to come back in the game but Lyon grassed a sitter. Both the wickets that Australia took in the 2nd innings were a result of brilliant catches, and Australia should have realized by then that it was not going to be a easy way out. Kallis rubbed salt on the wound by scoring three brilliant boundaries in one over and unfortunately the bowler at the receiving end was Starc on whose bowling Lyon dropped Kallis.
Last 20 minutes of the day also did not pass without a drama. The drama was surrounding Amla's century. When Smith got out, Amla was on 92 and at least 6 overs were remaining and Amla scored a 4 in the same over taking his tally to 96. After that Amla did not get enough strike. Smith got out in 33rd over. Kallis played the complete 34th over and took a single on the last ball. Then he played the complete 35th over. Amla faced the first ball of 36th over and as he had been doing throughout the innings, did not waste it and took a single. The remaining over was played by Kallis and again he took a single on the last ball. Again, the 37th over was played by Kallis with three glorious 4s. There could have been two full overs bowled in the time that was left for the day's play, but Clarke deliberately slowed it down with Amla getting a bit nervous. Amla had full 6 balls for him in the 38th over, facing the first ball. He played the first ball without a run. Then, in the second ball, he was nearly caught with the ball falling short of the fielder at mid-off, in an attempt to go over him. Kallis walked down to him to calm him down. Amla played another dot ball before scoring a single on the 4th ball, taking him to 98. Now the question was will Kallis take a single and give back the strike to Amla. Clarke also judged the situation well and brought all the fielders in to prevent the single, but Kallis managed to score a single. Now Amla was facing the final ball of the day with two runs for his well deserved century. It was short delivery and Amla swiveled and controlled the pull, only to pick up a single in the deep, which took him to 99. Now he will face the strike tomorrow. With this the day and the drama ended.
South Africa amassed 206 runs (in 32 overs) in the final session. Yes, we are talking about test cricket. South Africa has a lead of 292 with 8 wickets in hand. When both Smith and Amla were going ruthless, a 300+ lead was imminent but Smith's wicket slowed things a bit, but nevertheless, Proteas are in commanding position at the end of day 2. For sure, whatever South Africa will set Australia as target, Australia will have lot of time to chase. The only question is, how much?
Guys, this is the battle for number 1 spot. Australia has to win this game to regain their glory and South Africa just needs a draw. But the way, SA has approached the second innings, I doubt that they will settle with anything less than a victory. It is a pity that SA-AUS series are just three match series. Out of the last 9 series between them 8 have produced results, Australia winning 7 out of them. Only the last series was a drawn one and it was a 2 match series with a result of 1-1. The last time each of these team won the series against each other, it was on the opponent's soil and here SA has a very good chance of repeating the same. I do not want to jump to any conclusion, but one thing that I am sure of is that, for the next three days, you are definitely going to witness a very good battle. If you are a cricket lover, do not miss it.
