South Africa have every right to call themselves the world’s best team after their nine-wicket victory in the second Test in Melbourne on Tuesday dethroned Australia and led them to an emphatic 2-0 series win.
Composed is probably the word that best describes this South African team as they chased down the 183 runs they needed for victory on Tuesday.
Captain Graeme Smith refused to give Australia the slightest of gaps as he powered to 75, with the home side unable to put the break on the big left-hander’s scoring, despite concentrating on bowling outside off-stump and packing the off-side with fielders.
Fellow opener Neil McKenzie, with all sorts of tumult around his head after dropping centurion Ricky Ponting in the first innings and averaging just four in the series, finally got off the ground. He put all the failures behind him as he scored 59 not out.
Smith was trapped leg-before by off-spinner Nathan Hauritz shortly before lunch, but Hashim Amla ensured there were no more setbacks with a fluent 30 not out.
The victory also ensured that the one gap on South African cricket’s CV — a series victory in Australia — is no more after nine tours and 98 years of trying.