South Africa won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against Australia in Port Elizabeth.
The pitch that most referred to as dead, came alive on Day 2 for the Proteas. Apparently the most likely result to come out of it would be a draw. Then again how did South Africa get a win, taking 20 wickets from a dead wicket? Provided, Day 5 was expected to be rained out.
So, this is what a dead wicket produced:
Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar both reached half centuries.
AB de Villiers became the fourth South African, and second fastest after Graeme Smith, to score 7 000 Test runs, and in reaching his 50 became the first batsman in history to score 50 or more in 12 consecutive Tests. De Villiers also reached his 19th Test century, his 5th against Australia.
De Villiers and Duminy shared a record breaking partnership of 149 runs at St Georges in Port Elizabeth.
Duminy reached 1 000 Test runs from 23 matches and got his groove back by scoring 123 runs before being dismissed.
South Africa were all out for 423 runs.
Parnell started the South African defence very well, with figures of 2-0 after his first over.
Once again, Warner reached his 11th Test 50 as he was dropped along the way.
At one point, Australia found themselves needing a few runs to avoid the follow on, still trailing South Africa with more than 200 runs, with a few wickets in hand.
Unfortunately for South Africa, Wayne Parnell struggled with a left groin strain and went for a scan. The scans didn't show a tear to the groin but Parnell was unlikely to bowl again during the Test.
Thanks to the bowling of Morkel, Johnson got a taste of his own medicine (the hurt factor). Moreover, Morkel also gave Lyon and Warner a few knocks.
Not many highlights in the Australian camp, as they were bowled out for 246 in 57 overs, trailing South Africa by 177 runs.
In the second innings, Amla got his mojo back as he reached his 21st Test century and his 5th against Australia. Then on the list of most centuries by a South African batsman, Amla moved to joint 3rd with Gary Kirsten.
A few minutes before lunch after adding 270 runs to their score, South Africa declared, leaving Australia needing 448 runs for victory.
After the 100 run partnership between the opening batsmen, Australia began to tumble.
Unnoticed, Rogers crept to his 4th Test century, with Australia on 194-6.
During the collapse, Australia lost 4 wickets for 4 runs, and it was no longer a matter of Australia needing a certain number of runs to win, but a matter of South Africa needing a few wickets to win.
In the end, South Africa won by 231 runs, with a day to spare. Duminy was named Man of the Match for his 123 and a couple of wickets while South Africa levelled the 3-match series and head to Newlands for the decide.
Areas of Concern:
DRS
Dropping catches
Inconsistency
Congratulations to the SA U19s on beating Afghanistan by 9 wickets to enter the semi-finals of the U19 World Cup.
