A day when umpires raised their finger 23 times
Australia and South Africa played one of the most fascinating days of Test cricket at Newlands, in South Africa, when 23 wickets fell - with South Africa and Australia scoring 96 and 47 runs respectively. At one stage the Aussies were 21 for 9, an unheard of scoreline for Australia.
WHEN 23 wickets fall on a single day of Test cricket, it means great bowling has been responsible for two innings taking place in a single day - a rarity by any account. Australia was bundled out for 47 runs, their fourth lowest score in the history of Australian cricket. The second day of the match has been concluded and the South Africans are favourite to chase down the target of 236 runs, but we never know what is in store for us today. The South African were 81 for 1 when the day came to a close.
Earlier, during the day, the South African batsmen could not rise to the occasion as they were all out for a paltry score of only 96 runs, with only Smith and J. Rudolph coming up with double figures score. Shane Watson and Ryan Harris were the pick of the bowlers - picking up five and four wickets respectively.
When the Australians came out to bat in their second innings, they had the upper hand as they had a good lead due to their first innings score of 284 runs. The South African bowlers were looking sharp as soon as they took to the field - managing to get the danger batsmen, Shane Watson, on the third ball of the innings. After which, wickets began to fall like nine pins, and soon the score was just 21 runs with all but one batsman back in the pavilion. Surprisingly, the last wicket partnership lasted for 26 runs, which increased the Aussie total to 47 runs - their second lowest since 1904.
The fact that the Newlands pitch is bouncy and fast has affected batsmen of both the sides, and bowlers of both Australia and South Africa have made use of life in the pitch - negating any home advantage of a fast track. It just goes to show that a pitch that provides vertical movement can be what teams make of it - an excuse or an opportunity.
Irrespective of whether the Australians or the South Africans win the Test match, they have definitely played one of the most ‘historic day’ of any Test match. Those who witnessed the game either on the ground or on their television sets will never forget the day, when 23 wickets fell on a single day.
 | Previous Post |
| Next Post |  |
