Karthik007’s Blog

In what is perceived to be the end of a cricketing era, world champions Australia were comprehensively defeated by the South Africans on Tuesday (December 30)  in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. This win has given the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the on-going Test series Down Under.

This loss for the Aussies means that Ponting became the first Australian captain in 16 years to suffer a series defeat on home soil. Last time Australia lost a series at home was against the West Indies in 1992-93.

Resuming on 30 for no loss, South Africa needed 42 overs to score the remaining 153 runs for a memorable win and the moment came soon after lunch when Hashim Amla flicked Michael Clarke behind square leg for two runs.

In a match where Smith struck two fifties, JP Duminy scored his maiden hundred and Ponting scored 101 and 99, Dale Steyn was adjudged Man of the Match for his match haul of 10 for 154 besides the crucial 76 he scored in the first innings.

Graeme Smith was the lone South African wicket to fall in the second innings. The South African captain was trapped leg before by Nathan Hauritz after making a 94-ball 75 with 10 boundaries in it.

Fellow opener Neil McKenzie (59) and Amla (30) remained not out after guiding the team to a historic win.  Ricky Ponting’s Australia are now just one defeat away from losing their world number one crown after South Africa crushed them by nine wickets.

Earlier in the Test South Africa clawed back to avoid a batting collapse posting 459 all out in response to 394. Australia were dismissed for 247 in their second innings setting South Africa a small target of 183.

Dale Steyn was declared the man of the match for his 10-wicket haul and crucial half century. In the post-match presentation Grame Smith expressed joy and a beaming SA skipper said, “I have been smiling since the winning runs. It’s incredible. It has been a team effort and when it’s come to key moment in this Test we’ve stepped up.”

“JP (Duminy) was incredible and the self belief in the team is flowing. It’s an honour to come here and beat a quality unit. We’re going to celebrate and enjoy our New Year and not many of us are thinking about Sydney . After all the hard work this year it’s incredible to be standing here,” Smith added.

His opposite number Ponting was graceful in defeat and he hinted there might be a few changes in the side for the Sydney Test. “We deserved to be in this position and full marks to South Africa . They won very comfortably, a well deserved series win. Things were looking good for us at one stage, but their tail played exceptionally well and Lee went down through injury. We weren’t able to convert our opportunities. Let’s see what the selectors come up with for next week,” Ponting said.

Cricket expert Boria Majumdar expressed himself post this historic win and said, “This is an end of an era from 1992-2008. It started with India and there were criticisms that India won because of the home conditions on their side. But then, this win by the Proteas in Australia says it all that this team’s glory is coming to an end. The team’s bowling and batting is incredibly weak with stars like Brett Lee, Clark etc out of the side due to injury. If South Africa whitewash the Test series at Sydney, this will be the worst thing to have happened to Ricky Ponting and team at the start of 2009.”

“As for South Africa, they have the chance to dethrone the Aussies and claim the world number one spot. Their batting and well as bowling looks complete and the team’s moral will be high as they go to Sydney next,” added Boria.After the historic Test win at the Melbourne Cricket Association (MCA), Cricket Australia spokersperson, Peter Young  said that his team is hopeful of making a comeback in Sydney.

Congratulating the Proteas, the CA offical said, “South Africa has played excellent Test cricket after their successful campaing in England. They have played some remarkable cricket and have won their first Test series on Australian soil. I give full credit to them.”

Expressing hope and confidence Peter Young added, “We are hopeful to win the next Test in Sydney. Australians are passionate about their cricket and the people like to see their team succeed everytime. There was a patch when the Aussies lost the Ashes and everyone thought it was the end of an era. But the team under the leadership of Ricky Ponting came back convincingly. The Australians never lay down and give up. We have been playing Test cricket from 130 odd years, so we will make a comeback.”