Australia and the South African Proteas did battle in the 3rd & final Test of the Series in Australia at the Western Australia Cricket Association ground (WACA), Perth.

The game took place mostly in the middle of the night for South Africans, so live updates was given in the mornings.

Some thought it strange when South Africa chose to bat first after winning the toss, considering the batting surface, but in hind sight it proved the perfect decision. After only posting a modest 225 by South Africa in the first innings, they took the Australian batsment apart with regularity in Australia’s first innings, reducing them to only 163 all out.

Then came the master class of the South African second innings, amassing 569 runs in double quick fashion and with an hour to go in Day 3, the Australians went in to bat. No wickets fell in that last hour of Day 3, but Day 4 was the clincher, with Australian wickets falling at regular intervals.

Michael Starc hung on, frustrating the South African bowlers and South African spectators alike, but in the end South Africa won the Test by 309 runs, more than a full Day early, and thus winning the Test Series 1 / 0 to retain their World No 1 Test ranking.

 

South Africa 225 & 569

Australia 163 & 322

 

South Africa won by 309 runs

  • South Africa in Australia Test Series – 3rd Test
  • Test no. 2064 | 2012/13 season
  • Played at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth
  • 30 November, 1,2,3 December 2012 (5-day match)
South Africa 1st innings R B 4s 6s SR
GC Smith* c Clarke b Watson 16 30 1 0 53.33
AN Petersen b Starc 30 73 4 0 41.09
HM Amla run out (Warner) 11 43 2 0 25.58
JH Kallis b Starc 2 7 0 0 28.57
AB de Villiers† c Clarke b Hastings 4 12 1 0 33.33
D Elgar c †Wade b Johnson 0 12 0 0 0.00
F du Plessis not out 78 142 12 0 54.92
RJ Peterson c †Wade b Lyon 31 45 3 0 68.88
VD Philander c Hussey b Lyon 30 54 2 1 55.55
DW Steyn b Johnson 2 11 0 0 18.18
M Morkel c Hastings b Lyon 17 15 4 0 113.33
Extras (lb 2, w 2) 4
Total (all out; 74 overs) 225 (3.04 runs per over)
Fall of wickets 1-38 (Smith, 11.3 ov), 2-61 (Petersen, 22.4 ov), 3-63 (Kallis, 24.3 ov), 4-67 (Amla, 26.5 ov), 5-67 (de Villiers, 27.4 ov), 6-75 (Elgar, 30.5 ov), 7-132 (Peterson, 47.3 ov), 8-196 (Philander, 67.1 ov), 9-206 (Steyn, 70.2 ov), 10-225 (Morkel, 73.6 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
MA Starc 16 3 55 2 3.43
JW Hastings 20 2 51 1 2.55
SR Watson 9 2 22 1 2.44 (1w)
MG Johnson 17 3 54 2 3.17 (1w)
NM Lyon 12 1 41 3 3.41
Australia 1st innings R B 4s 6s SR
DA Warner c †de Villiers b Steyn 13 35 2 0 37.14
EJM Cowan c Kallis b Steyn 0 1 0 0 0.00
SR Watson lbw b Philander 10 12 1 0 83.33
NM Lyon c du Plessis b Steyn 7 26 0 0 26.92
RT Ponting lbw b Philander 4 7 0 0 57.14
MJ Clarke* c †de Villiers b Steyn 5 13 0 0 38.46
MEK Hussey c Smith b Morkel 12 40 1 0 30.00
MS Wade† b Peterson 68 102 7 3 66.66
JW Hastings c Petersen b Peterson 32 58 4 0 55.17
MG Johnson b Peterson 7 22 0 0 31.81
MA Starc not out 0 3 0 0 0.00
Extras (lb 5) 5
Total (all out; 53.1 overs) 163 (3.06 runs per over)
Fall of wickets 1-3 (Cowan, 0.3 ov), 2-18 (Watson, 5.1 ov), 3-34 (Warner, 12.1 ov), 4-35 (Lyon, 12.4 ov), 5-43 (Ponting, 15.2 ov), 6-45 (Clarke, 16.2 ov), 7-100 (Hussey, 30.3 ov), 8-140 (Wade, 45.5 ov), 9-162 (Johnson, 51.5 ov), 10-163 (Hastings, 53.1 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DW Steyn 16 4 40 4 2.50
VD Philander 16 0 55 2 3.43
M Morkel 13 6 19 1 1.46
RJ Peterson 8.1 1 44 3 5.38
South Africa 2nd innings R B 4s 6s SR
AN Petersen c & b Johnson 23 20 4 0 115.00
GC Smith* c Lyon b Starc 84 100 13 0 84.00
HM Amla c & b Johnson 196 221 21 0 88.68
JH Kallis c Johnson b Starc 37 65 5 0 56.92
AB de Villiers† c †Wade b Starc 169 184 21 3 91.84
D Elgar lbw b Johnson 0 4 0 0 0.00
F du Plessis c Clarke b Johnson 27 38 4 0 71.05
RJ Peterson c Johnson b Starc 0 3 0 0 0.00
VD Philander not out 14 17 2 0 82.35
DW Steyn c †Wade b Starc 8 17 1 0 47.05
M Morkel b Starc 0 2 0 0 0.00
Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 3) 11
Total (all out; 111.5 overs) 569 (5.08 runs per over)
Fall of wickets 1-28 (Petersen, 6.6 ov), 2-206 (Smith, 32.3 ov), 3-287 (Kallis, 51.5 ov), 4-436 (Amla, 88.1 ov), 5-436 (Elgar, 88.5 ov), 6-538 (du Plessis, 102.6 ov), 7-539 (Peterson, 103.5 ov), 8-557 (de Villiers, 107.4 ov), 9-569 (Steyn, 111.3 ov), 10-569 (Morkel, 111.5 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
MA Starc 28.5 3 154 6 5.34 (1w)
SR Watson 9 3 24 0 2.66
MG Johnson 25 1 110 4 4.40
JW Hastings 19 1 102 0 5.36 (1w)
NM Lyon 22 2 128 0 5.81
MEK Hussey 4 0 26 0 6.50 (1w)
DA Warner 3 0 14 0 4.66
RT Ponting 1 0 3 0 3.00
Australia 2nd innings (target: 632 runs) R B 4s 6s SR
EJM Cowan c Elgar b Steyn 53 149 5 1 35.57
DA Warner c Smith b Philander 29 34 5 0 85.29
SR Watson c Smith b Morkel 25 46 4 0 54.34
RT Ponting c Kallis b Peterson 8 23 2 0 34.78
MJ Clarke* st †de Villiers b Peterson 44 52 8 0 84.61
MEK Hussey c †de Villiers b Steyn 26 52 1 0 50.00
MS Wade† c Smith b Peterson 10 12 2 0 83.33
JW Hastings c Smith b Morkel 20 30 1 2 66.66
MG Johnson c †de Villiers b Philander 3 13 0 0 23.07
MA Starc not out 68 43 9 2 158.13
NM Lyon c Smith b Steyn 31 43 6 0 72.09
Extras (lb 3, w 2) 5
Total (10 wickets; 82.5 overs) 322 (3.88 runs per over)
Fall of wickets 1-40 (Warner, 13.2 ov), 2-81 (Watson, 28.6 ov), 3-102 (Ponting, 37.4 ov), 4-130 (Cowan, 42.5 ov), 5-188 (Clarke, 57.5 ov), 6-198 (Hussey, 60.3 ov), 7-198 (Wade, 61.5 ov), 8-204 (Johnson, 66.5 ov), 9-235 (Hastings, 70.2 ov), 10-322 (Lyon, 82.5 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DW Steyn 22.5 6 72 3 3.15 (1w)
VD Philander 21 8 41 2 1.95
M Morkel 16 2 57 2 3.56 (1w)
RJ Peterson 20 2 127 3 6.35
D Elgar 1 0 4 0 4.00
F du Plessis 2 0 18 0 9.00
Match details
Toss South Africa, who chose to bat
Test debuts JW Hastings (Australia); D Elgar (South Africa)
Player of the match tba
Umpires Asad Rauf (Pakistan) and RA Kettleborough (England)
TV umpire BF Bowden (New Zealand)
Match referee RS Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Reserve umpire JD Ward
Close of play
– day 1 – Australia 1st innings 33/2 (DA Warner 12*, NM Lyon 7*, 11 ov)
– day 2 – South Africa 2nd innings 230/2 (HM Amla 99*, JH Kallis 17*, 38 ov)
– day 3 – Australia 2nd innings 40/0 (EJM Cowan 9*, DA Warner 29*, 13 ov)
Match notes
  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Australia: 50 runs in 17.2 overs (104 balls), Extras 2
  • Drinks: Australia – 73/1 in 26.0 overs (EJM Cowan 22, SR Watson 19)
  • Australia: 100 runs in 37.2 overs (224 balls), Extras 3
  • Lunch: Australia – 110/3 in 38.0 overs (EJM Cowan 37, MJ Clarke 8)
  • EJM Cowan: 50 off 146 balls (5 x 4, 1 x 6)
  • Australia: 150 runs in 49.3 overs (297 balls), Extras 3
  • Drinks: Australia – 152/4 in 51.0 overs (MJ Clarke 27, MEK Hussey 7)
  • 5th Wicket: 50 runs in 78 balls (MJ Clarke 28, MEK Hussey 23, Ex 0)
  • Australia: 200 runs in 61.6 overs (372 balls), Extras 3
  • Tea: Australia – 204/7 in 64.0 overs (JW Hastings 2, MG Johnson 3)
  • Australia: 250 runs in 72.2 overs (434 balls), Extras 5
  • MA Starc: 50 off 32 balls (5 x 4, 2 x 6)
  • 10th Wicket: 50 runs in 44 balls (MA Starc 37, NM Lyon 14, Ex 1)
  • Australia: 300 runs in 79.6 overs (480 balls), Extras 5
  • New Ball Taken: Australia 302/9 after 80.1 overs (MA Starc 60, NM Lyon 19)

204 Responses to Cricket: 3rd & Final Test – Australia vs South Africa (Friday 30 November to Tuesday 4 December 2012)

1 2 3 7
  • 1

    Unless something as dramatic as Jacques Kallis calling time on his career happens, the Perth Test will be largely about Ricky Ponting. Whether South Africa win a second consecutive series in Australia and keep their No. 1 Test ranking, or whether Michael Clarke’s team wrests it from them, the cricket world will be captivated by Ponting’s farewell.

    The South African team was too. They arrived at the WACA ground when Ponting was making his announcement, and although they suspected it was going to happen, they were in some awe at being so close to it. “Shame,” said AB de Villiers in typical South African fashion, while Graeme Smith showed genuine concern when he heard Michael Clarke almost broke down during his press conference.

    Reporters held back from asking Smith about his record of being around when major opposition players retire but they managed to get some of his thoughts. “Initially it was a bit of a shock,” Smith said, conveying a popular sentiment. “I played a lot against Ricky and he is certainly the most competitive man I think I have ever played against. The way he played the game, and the intensity he played the game in, is a credit to him. He has always represented Australia with a lot of dignity and a lot of skill.”

  • 2

    Even during the 3.3 overs he bowled before limping off Adelaide Oval, Kallis’ impact was significant: he dismissed Ed Cowan and Ponting. Kallis also batted through pain in both innings because his contribution was needed to save the match. His 58 and 46, innings that used up more than four hours, proved that his career is a long way from needing the same resuscitation. It would not have been surprising had Ponting watched that effort and wondered how a man who walked almost the same road as he did was able to continue walking so confidently.

    Kallis made his Test debut the week after Ponting did in December 1995. He has played ten fewer Tests than Ponting, has 425 fewer runs but three hundreds more. While Ponting has one more opportunity to add to those numbers, Kallis should have several more. Like Ponting, Kallis said he would remain committed to playing international cricket for as long as his body allows and he can contribute. Unlike Ponting, it is Kallis’ fitness rather his form that threatens his future.

    For the third time in as many tours in 2012, Kallis is battling injury. His current hamstring strain could deny him his own last – a last Test in Australia. It’s unlikely Kallis will return in 2016, when South Africa are due to tour next, and before this series he said he would treasure being successful for a second time in Australia.

  • 3

    By the time the Australians had left, South Africa were training in sunshine with a strong wind blowing. In the second net was Kallis.
    .

    He moved with ease. He got forward to defend with the grace of a construction vehicle and the determination of a whole fleet. He walked without difficulty, he bent down, he got back up, he carried on. He was struck on the hand by a net bowler and casually wrung it out before continuing. He was in the zone.
    .

    When he finished, Kallis walked to a nearby bench, took his gloves off as though nothing had happened and packed his things. He looked around for a few minutes, he tussled his hair, he saw his team-mates chatting to some reporters and he passed by with smiles for all. In those eyes was the same look Kallis has worn throughout his career. The one that says, “I’m still here and I’m still going to be.”

  • 4

    Australia’s challenge appears the most pronounced. Having thrown all they possibly could at South Africa across the first two Tests they have nothing to show for it but injuries and a creeping fatigue across most of the squad.

    This means the bowling attack that has strived so hard in Brisbane and Adelaide will have a decidedly different look at the WACA ground. Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc can both be expected to play, while Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have been rested. Shane Watson’s return from a calf problem is welcome, but it remains to be seen how well grooved he is for a Test match having played only one first-class fixture – in which he was injured – since April.

    Then of course there is the matter of Ricky Ponting’s last Test. Clarke has the job ahead of him to keep his team focused and efficient despite their trials.

  • 5

    Team news

    Shane Watson is guaranteed to return and Mitchell Johnson is also expected to be included for his first Test in a year. Both Siddle and Hilfenhaus have been left out of the final 12 because of their huge workloads in Adelaide.

    Australia (possible) 1 Ed Cowan, 2 David Warner, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Nathan Lyon, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Josh Hazlewood.

    Faf du Plessis may earn a promotion in the batting order after his Adelaide heroics, while Ryan McLaren’s all-round skills may be utilised if Jacques Kallis is not fit. Kallis, however, trained on the eve of the match and a final assessment will be made on Friday morning. Vernon Philander will return after a back complaint kept him out of Adelaide, and left-arm spinner Robin Peterson is likely to take Imran Tahir’s spot.

    South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Alviro Petersen, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Faf du Plessis, 7 Robin Peterson, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Rory Kleinveldt, 11 Morne Morkel.

  • 6

    This is again a suffering, to watch us struggle, We decided to bat first, eish why?

    South Africa 63/3 (25.2 ov)

    Australia

    South Africa won the toss and elected to bat

    Day 1 – Session 2

  • 7

    25.5

    Hastings to Amla, no run, dropped

  • 8

    South Africa 71/5 (28.0 ov)

    Australia

    South Africa won the toss and elected to bat

    Day 1 – Session 2

    South Africa RR 2.53
    Last 10 ovs 18/4 RR 1.80
    Min overs remaining 62.0

    Last 10 ovs 18/4 RR 1.80
    Min overs remaining 62.1

  • 9

    Will watch the carnage tonight, even Faf looks very lucky as i go

  • 10

    SA 110/6

    We doing very poorly here. Dammit thought we might do a lot better than this…. 😡

  • 11

    Foolish to have batted first, have no idea why we done that?

  • 12

    6 @ superBul:
    11 @ Puma:
    You guys are so fickle… in the 1st 2 Tests Australia batted first and posted huge 1st innings totals… setting the tone of those two Tests.

    Now we win the toss and elect to bat to possibly do the same, we struggle, and the team gets lambasted by you for batting first.

    Eishhhh!!

    Will you guys EVER be happy?

  • 13

    Not a good situation to be 141 / 7 but we must just do the best we can now.

    Hopefully Faf & Vernon builds a good stand and gets some total on the board.

    Then our bowlers must come to the party and just cut the Aussies down to level things up again, that’s all.

  • 14

    Watching the Blitzbokke vs England in the Dubai Sevens… 5 / 5 so far, just before halftime

  • 15

    Ahhhh, Delport scores, under the sticks.

    Blitzbokke 12 / 5 England
    Lemoenetyd

  • 16

    12 @ grootblousmile:
    Godd morning GBS, the difference I guess is that Adelaide was a very flat wicket full of runs so it was the right choice by Aus to bat first and put a big score up etc, whereas the talk before this match was that it would be a wicket that would favour the quicks and with 5 wickets already taken for so few runs by Aussie quicks I guess you have to question our choice not to bowl first. By the way I was really annoyed to see Peterson run out in Adelaide and now to see Amla run out too is just crazy, in test cricket there is no need to be run out unless you in total command and trying to pile on runs quickly before declaration or you are trying madly to reach the score to win and you have plenty of wickets in hand.

  • 17

    15 @ grootblousmile:
    Goodstuff enjoy watching the rugby man GO BLITZBOKKE!

  • 18

    16 @ Bullscot:
    Well, then this same wicket will suit the SA quickies too, if Aussie has to bat late on Day 1 or early on Day 2.

    Yip, I’m not happy about the run-out’s either…

  • 19

    With about 2 minutes to go in the match, Blitzbokke 19 / 10

  • 20

    30 Seconds to go… Blitzies scrum

  • 22

    18 @ grootblousmile:
    Hope so GBS, but its all about putting your opposition under pressure as soon as possible and in this case Aus have the upper hand so far.

  • 23

    Blitzbokke win by: Blitzbokke 19 / 10 England

  • 24

    Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander on the vasbyt here now… and long may it last… please

  • 25

    Faf on 49, and has the strike….

  • 26

    Great!

    Faf goes to 50 with a lovely 4!

  • 27

    169/7

    Take a bow Faf, the only batsman that has stood up this morning.

  • 28

    Philander not going badly either…

  • 29

    50 Partnership up between Faf and Vernon

  • 30

    Oh shit, Vernon Philander skies one and is caught on 30.

    SA 196 / 8

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