Cape Town, November 11: Cape Town on Thursday was a venue spread with bodies of fallen batsmen. While Australian bowlers combined efforts to knock South Africa out for 96 in the first innings of the first Test, the hosts fought back to humiliate Michael Clarke’s side and restrict them to 47, their third lowest ever and lowest in 109 years.
4.3 rip-snorter. Unplayable. Watson is gone, and he will look at the replays aghast. Steyn squares him up with a fierce away-swinger that as always angles in to land on leg and then goes away. It was too full for Watson to leave, and it moved too much for him to middle. It bangs the outer half of the blade as he gropes in search of the line, and balloons into the slips. Gone. Watson was made to look like a staggering drunk by the time the ball was done with him. 9/1
5.6 another stunner, not a bad way to get your first stick in Tests. Vernon wins the battle of the Phils. That’s 500 Test catches for Boucher, too! 498 of them for South Africa (the other 2 for the World XI). Similar ball to the previous one, lands short of a length around middle and off and then goes away like a charm. This was pacier than before, Hughes gets squared up as he angles the face of the bat in hope, but the ball takes the edge and is into Bouch’s gloves in a flash. He ends up looking just as clumsy as Watto did. This is brilliant bowling in great conditions for such bowling. 13/2
39.1It’s taken him one ball to make a difference! Marsh’s been ruled lbw, and he’s being very optimistic reviewing that. Good old patent indipper, lands at pace on a length around off stump and nips in, Marsh has been solid all day, but this time he doesn’t get bat and pad close together, and plays across the line. Was he lulled into this false stroke by the poor bowling until now? Hit in front of middle, absolutely, hopelessly plumb. A complete waste of a review. Marsh played really well until this one, they may have be tempted into trying their luck with the review. 143/4
16.2 he has Ponting in trouble now, there’s half an appeal for lbw and they are considering a review. Yeah, we have the first review of the series. Steyn makes him play now, full ball angling in towards the middle and leg line. Ponting thrusts the front pad well across, as his wont, and then has to play around it with the ball straightening a degree down the line. No inside edge on that. This is touble for the Punter. It’s hit him on the front pad as the bat scissors down and hits the pad. The ball heads on unimpeded into the pads, and that’s super adjacent. Ponting is on his way. Steyn 1, Ponting 0. 40/3
74.6 Clarke’s terrific innings ends with his leg stump being detonated from the ground. He made room to a good length ball and tried to heave on the leg side, he missed and Morkel was on target 284/10
44.3 and another, Hussey is gone off the inside edge. Morne’s getting the ball to whistle in sharply now, and it is too good for Mr Cricket. He let the previous one go, but knew it came disconcertingly close to off stump. This time he tries to stay put on the crease and cover the bat pad gap late, but it just kept coming in. It snuck through the gap, but not before it took the inner edge, onto thigh pad. Boucher takes a good low catch. What a huge breach this, Hussey has been scoring runs by the bucket-loads in recent times. 158/5
45.5 ah well, Aus are in big trouble now. Haddin’s gone, not learning the lesson from the previous two balls. Stays on the crease again as Steyn gets fuller and closer to off stump to ensure Haddin doesn’t play and miss this time. Haddin obliges, gets across and thrusts the bat well in front of the body to get a big outside edge on a rather ambitious drive, into gully’s hands. 300? 200 is looking miles away now. 163/6
52.3 one shot too many, and that’s the end of Mitch. South Africa will breathe a sigh of relief to see their tormentor back, but this may prove to be an invaluable 20. Short ball, angled across wide of off stump, and he tries to forehand it across to the leg side. He can’t get on top of it, and lobs the shot to midwicket standing close. 202/7
54.5 a typical tail-ender job from Harris, he’s holed out to mid-on in comical fashion. Bouncer outside off, its heading for his face and he tries it swat it away as if it were a bothersome fly. He gets a top-edge and it goes high, and doesn’t come very low before Morne the giant gobbles it up. 214/8
72.4 caught at short cover! Morkel hits a good length once again and slants the ball into Siddle, who plays a loose drive. The ball lobs towards cover where AB takes a comfortable catch. Siddle’s played his part, though, in a partnership of 59 273/9
4.3 to Watson, rip-snorter. Unplayable. Watson is gone, and he will look at the replays aghast. Steyn squares him up with a fierce away-swinger that as always angles in to land on leg and then goes away. It was too full for Watson to leave, and it moved too much for him to middle. It bangs the outer half of the blade as he gropes in search of the line, and balloons into the slips. Gone. Watson was made to look like a staggering drunk by the time the ball was done with him. 9/1
16.2 to Ponting, he has Ponting in trouble now, there’s half an appeal for lbw and they are considering a review. Yeah, we have the first review of the series. Steyn makes him play now, full ball angling in towards the middle and leg line. Ponting thrusts the front pad well across, as his wont, and then has to play around it with the ball straightening a degree down the line. No inside edge on that. This is touble for the Punter. It’s hit him on the front pad as the bat scissors down and hits the pad. The ball heads on unimpeded into the pads, and that’s super adjacent. Ponting is on his way. Steyn 1, Ponting 0. 40/3
39.1 to Marsh, It’s taken him one ball to make a difference! Marsh’s been ruled lbw, and he’s being very optimistic reviewing that. Good old patent indipper, lands at pace on a length around off stump and nips in, Marsh has been solid all day, but this time he doesn’t get bat and pad close together, and plays across the line. Was he lulled into this false stroke by the poor bowling until now? Hit in front of middle, absolutely, hopelessly plumb. A complete waste of a review. Marsh played really well until this one, they may have be tempted into trying their luck with the review. 143/4
45.5 to Haddin, ah well, Aus are in big trouble now. Haddin’s gone, not learning the lesson from the previous two balls. Stays on the crease again as Steyn gets fuller and closer to off stump to ensure Haddin doesn’t play and miss this time. Haddin obliges, gets across and thrusts the bat well in front of the body to get a big outside edge on a rather ambitious drive, into gully’s hands. 300? 200 is looking miles away now. 163/6
5.6 to Hughes, another stunner, not a bad way to get your first stick in Tests. Vernon wins the battle of the Phils. That’s 500 Test catches for Boucher, too! 498 of them for South Africa (the other 2 for the World XI). Similar ball to the previous one, lands short of a length around middle and off and then goes away like a charm. This was pacier than before, Hughes gets squared up as he angles the face of the bat in hope, but the ball takes the edge and is into Bouch’s gloves in a flash. He ends up looking just as clumsy as Watto did. This is brilliant bowling in great conditions for such bowling. 13/2
52.3 to Johnson, one shot too many, and that’s the end of Mitch. South Africa will breathe a sigh of relief to see their tormentor back, but this may prove to be an invaluable 20. Short ball, angled across wide of off stump, and he tries to forehand it across to the leg side. He can’t get on top of it, and lobs the shot to midwicket standing close. 202/7
54.5 to Harris, a typical tail-ender job from Harris, he’s holed out to mid-on in comical fashion. Bouncer outside off, its heading for his face and he tries it swat it away as if it were a bothersome fly. He gets a top-edge and it goes high, and doesn’t come very low before Morne the giant gobbles it up. 214/8
44.3 to Hussey, and another, Hussey is gone off the inside edge. Morne’s getting the ball to whistle in sharply now, and it is too good for Mr Cricket. He let the previous one go, but knew it came disconcertingly close to off stump. This time he tries to stay put on the crease and cover the bat pad gap late, but it just kept coming in. It snuck through the gap, but not before it took the inner edge, onto thigh pad. Boucher takes a good low catch. What a huge breach this, Hussey has been scoring runs by the bucket-loads in recent times. 158/5
72.4 to Siddle, caught at short cover! Morkel hits a good length once again and slants the ball into Siddle, who plays a loose drive. The ball lobs towards cover where AB takes a comfortable catch. Siddle’s played his part, though, in a partnership of 59 273/9
74.6 to Clarke, Clarke’s terrific innings ends with his leg stump being detonated from the ground. He made room to a good length ball and tried to heave on the leg side, he missed and Morkel was on target 284/10
6.5 cleaned him up! Harris goes straight through Rudolph’s defence and uproots off stump. The ball pitched on a good length and bent back in ever so slightly after angling across the left-hander. Rudolph played outside the line from his crease and was beaten between bat and pad. That ball hit the outside corner of the top of off stump 24/1
17.1 Watson’s done it again! He’s bowled Smith. Short of a length delivery angling across the left-hander, Smith jumps back and tries to defend, he gets an inside edge that goes on to his stumps 73/4
13.2 Lbw! Watson nips the ball into Amla and hits the pad, loud appeal for lbw follows and the umpire says not out. Clarke asks for a review. The ball pitched just outside off and swung in to hit the pad on the top part of the knee roll. Replays indicate the ball was hitting in line and would have hit middle and leg. The not-out decision is reversed and Amla has to go. 49/2
13.6 has Watson got another one? Kallis tries to pull a short ball but doesn’t make proper contact, the ball lobs off something and is caught by Ponting second slip. The Australians are convinced it’s off the bat. Kallis is not going anywhere and the umpire Ian Gould says not out. Clarke reviews right away and hot spot shows a massive edge, after which the ball hit the shoulder at went to slip. Kallis has to go. Sensational over for Australia after lunch. 49/3
18.1 (18.1) Another referral! Looks like an optimistic one, but there’s no stopping the Aussies from signalling the ‘T’ now. Was it pad first? Harris nips one in from a length outside off, as AB pushes forward with bat and pad close together … I tell you what, AB is in trouble. The ball kisses pad first and then slides onto the bat. Three red lights, he is hit in front of off stump! Australia are all over South Africa! What did the visitors have for lunch? They have the hosts on toast now! Finger goes up! This could have never been out in the pre-UDRS era. The ball went into the covers off the pad and bat, and I doubt any umpire would give that out without the help of replays. Stunning usage of the referral system. 77/6
17.2 Watson is on f i r e. Lbw! The ball was full and straight. Prince couldn’t bring his bat down in time and the ball crashed into his pad just above the boot. No doubt about that one. 73/5
19.3 given lbw! Watson has five, or does he? Boucher’s reviewed it this time. That pitched just outside off stump and angled into Boucher, who tries to defend on the back foot. He misses and the ball crashes into the top of his back pad. Watson is dead sure, and the umpire agrees. Replays indicate that it isn’t too high, which was the only doubt. What a unbelievable passage of play for Australia. 77/7
20.6 caught at slip! The collapse continues. Philander tries to drive a good length ball on the up without really moving his feet. He gets a thick edge that flies quickly to third slip. Not too quick for Ponting, though, and he takes the catch to the right of his head 81/8
21.4Watson to Steyn, run out! Australia are mauling South Africa. Steyn played the ball on the back foot towards mid-on and set off. Morkel was late in responding and he isn’t the quickest between wickets. Siddle sprinted from mid-on, picked up, and scored a direct hit at the striker’s end. Morkel was out by yards. 83/9
24.3 all over, for fewer than 100. Harris has steamed past Tahir’s outside edge and crashed into the top of off stump. The ball was on a good length and straight, Tahir tried to drive from the crease and missed. 96/10
6.5 to Rudolph, cleaned him up! Harris goes straight through Rudolph’s defence and uproots off stump. The ball pitched on a good length and bent back in ever so slightly after angling across the left-hander. Rudolph played outside the line from his crease and was beaten between bat and pad. That ball hit the outside corner of the top of off stump 24/1
18.1 to de Villiers, (18.1) Another referral! Looks like an optimistic one, but there’s no stopping the Aussies from signalling the ‘T’ now. Was it pad first? Harris nips one in from a length outside off, as AB pushes forward with bat and pad close together … I tell you what, AB is in trouble. The ball kisses pad first and then slides onto the bat. Three red lights, he is hit in front of off stump! Australia are all over South Africa! What did the visitors have for lunch? They have the hosts on toast now! Finger goes up! This could have never been out in the pre-UDRS era. The ball went into the covers off the pad and bat, and I doubt any umpire would give that out without the help of replays. Stunning usage of the referral system. 77/6
20.6 to Philander, caught at slip! The collapse continues. Philander tries to drive a good length ball on the up without really moving his feet. He gets a thick edge that flies quickly to third slip. Not too quick for Ponting, though, and he takes the catch to the right of his head 81/8
24.3 to Imran Tahir, all over, for fewer than 100. Harris has steamed past Tahir’s outside edge and crashed into the top of off stump. The ball was on a good length and straight, Tahir tried to drive from the crease and missed. 96/10
13.2 to Amla, Lbw! Watson nips the ball into Amla and hits the pad, loud appeal for lbw follows and the umpire says not out. Clarke asks for a review. The ball pitched just outside off and swung in to hit the pad on the top part of the knee roll. Replays indicate the ball was hitting in line and would have hit middle and leg. The not-out decision is reversed and Amla has to go. 49/2
13.6 to Kallis, has Watson got another one? Kallis tries to pull a short ball but doesn’t make proper contact, the ball lobs off something and is caught by Ponting second slip. The Australians are convinced it’s off the bat. Kallis is not going anywhere and the umpire Ian Gould says not out. Clarke reviews right away and hot spot shows a massive edge, after which the ball hit the shoulder at went to slip. Kallis has to go. Sensational over for Australia after lunch. 49/3
17.1 to Smith, Watson’s done it again! He’s bowled Smith. Short of a length delivery angling across the left-hander, Smith jumps back and tries to defend, he gets an inside edge that goes on to his stumps 73/4
17.2 to Prince, Watson is on f i r e. Lbw! The ball was full and straight. Prince couldn’t bring his bat down in time and the ball crashed into his pad just above the boot. No doubt about that one. 73/5
19.3 to Boucher, given lbw! Watson has five, or does he? Boucher’s reviewed it this time. That pitched just outside off stump and angled into Boucher, who tries to defend on the back foot. He misses and the ball crashes into the top of his back pad. Watson is dead sure, and the umpire agrees. Replays indicate that it isn’t too high, which was the only doubt. What a unbelievable passage of play for Australia. 77/7
0.3 lbw! Gould’s given him. Watson hung around a bit wondering whether to review but decided against it. He should have reviewed it, replays indicate the ball was going over the stumps. It was full and straight, but Waston got a long stride forward as he tried to drive, he missed and was hit just above the knee roll. It didn’t look high to the naked eye to be honest. Steyn is pumped 4/1
6.4 caught at slip! The procession continues! Or does it? Did that carry to Rudolph at third slip? More work for Billy Bowden, the TV umpire. It was a short of a length ball that bounced sharply and seamed across the left-hander, squaring Hughes up. The ball hit the shoulder of the bat and went to third slip. It was dying on Rudolph as it reached him but he seemed to just get his fingers under the ball. Close call but looked like it carried. 13/3
5.3 Lbw! This time Ponting reviews it! Mayhem at Newlands. Ponting moves forward and across to play one that pitches on off stump and angles into the right-hander. He misses and gets hit on the lower part of the knee roll this time. The umpire gives him out and Ponting asks for a review. Replays show the ball is hitting the stumps. Australia are two down. 11/2
7.3 lbw! But Clarke reviews the out decision. Billy Bowden, the TV umpire, is being made to sing for his supper. Philander seams the ball off a good length from off stump and beats Clarke’s drive, the ball hits the top of the back pad. Replays indicate it’s clipping the top of the stumps and that’s all South Africa need. Australia 15 for 5. 15/5
6.5 caught at gully! This is truly bizarre. A loose shot from Hussey, driving off the front foot away from his body at a full ball slanting across his off stump, the thick outside edge flies to Prince at gully. He could have easily let that go. Poor stroke. 13/4
9.1 caught behind, a bizarre shot from Haddin! He backed away and made room to a short of a length ball and tried to drive inside out on the up through the off side. The bounce was too high and he edged it to Boucher. This is extraordinary. 18/6
11.2 caught at point! The ball was short with width outside off stump, it was there to be hit, to be honest. Johnson cracked it off the back foot but straight to Amla. Australia on course to be dismissed for the lowest Test score ever. 21/8
10.4 caught at slip! Harris is no match for this ball. It pitched on a length around off stump, bounced extra, seamed away a little and hit the outside edge high on the bat and flew to Smith at first slip. Easy catch. 21/7
11.4 Another review. Philander thinks he’s got him lbw! He has! The ball pitched on a good length in line with leg stump and went straight on, Marsh came forward and played across the line. He missed and was hit plumb in front. The umpire said not out and Philander wanted the review immediately. The only doubt was whether it pitched outside leg. It did not. Philander has a five-for on debut. Australia are a wicket away from being bowled out for the lowest total in Test cricket. 21/9
17.6 caught at cover, it’s all over. Again. Lyon simply chips a good length ball in the air towards AB, who moves forward and dives to take a low catch. Australia have been shot out for 47. 47/10
0.3 to Watson, lbw! Gould’s given him. Watson hung around a bit wondering whether to review but decided against it. He should have reviewed it, replays indicate the ball was going over the stumps. It was full and straight, but Waston got a long stride forward as he tried to drive, he missed and was hit just above the knee roll. It didn’t look high to the naked eye to be honest. Steyn is pumped 4/1
17.6 to Lyon, caught at cover, it’s all over. Again. Lyon simply chips a good length ball in the air towards AB, who moves forward and dives to take a low catch. Australia have been shot out for 47. 47/10
5.3 to Ponting, Lbw! This time Ponting reviews it! Mayhem at Newlands. Ponting moves forward and across to play one that pitches on off stump and angles into the right-hander. He misses and gets hit on the lower part of the knee roll this time. The umpire gives him out and Ponting asks for a review. Replays show the ball is hitting the stumps. Australia are two down. 11/2
7.3 to Clarke, lbw! But Clarke reviews the out decision. Billy Bowden, the TV umpire, is being made to sing for his supper. Philander seams the ball off a good length from off stump and beats Clarke’s drive, the ball hits the top of the back pad. Replays indicate it’s clipping the top of the stumps and that’s all South Africa need. Australia 15 for 5. 15/5
9.1 to Haddin, caught behind, a bizarre shot from Haddin! He backed away and made room to a short of a length ball and tried to drive inside out on the up through the off side. The bounce was too high and he edged it to Boucher. This is extraordinary. 18/6
11.2 to Johnson, caught at point! The ball was short with width outside off stump, it was there to be hit, to be honest. Johnson cracked it off the back foot but straight to Amla. Australia on course to be dismissed for the lowest Test score ever. 21/8
11.4 to Marsh, Another review. Philander thinks he’s got him lbw! He has! The ball pitched on a good length in line with leg stump and went straight on, Marsh came forward and played across the line. He missed and was hit plumb in front. The umpire said not out and Philander wanted the review immediately. The only doubt was whether it pitched outside leg. It did not. Philander has a five-for on debut. Australia are a wicket away from being bowled out for the lowest total in Test cricket. 21/9
6.4 to Hughes, caught at slip! The procession continues! Or does it? Did that carry to Rudolph at third slip? More work for Billy Bowden, the TV umpire. It was a short of a length ball that bounced sharply and seamed across the left-hander, squaring Hughes up. The ball hit the shoulder of the bat and went to third slip. It was dying on Rudolph as it reached him but he seemed to just get his fingers under the ball. Close call but looked like it carried. 13/3
6.5 to Hussey, caught at gully! This is truly bizarre. A loose shot from Hussey, driving off the front foot away from his body at a full ball slanting across his off stump, the thick outside edge flies to Prince at gully. He could have easily let that go. Poor stroke. 13/4
10.4 to Harris, caught at slip! Harris is no match for this ball. It pitched on a length around off stump, bounced extra, seamed away a little and hit the outside edge high on the bat and flew to Smith at first slip. Easy catch. 21/7
6.4 caught behind! South Africa have lost their first. Is this the beginning? Siddle pitches the ball on a great line and length around off, making Rudolph play. He begins to poke at it but then decides to pull his bat out of the way. Too late. The ball seams across the left-hander, kisses the outside edge and is taken by Haddin. 27/1
6.4 to Rudolph, caught behind! South Africa have lost their first. Is this the beginning? Siddle pitches the ball on a great line and length around off, making Rudolph play. He begins to poke at it but then decides to pull his bat out of the way. Too late. The ball seams across the left-hander, kisses the outside edge and is taken by Haddin. 27/1
The first session of play on Day 2 saw Shane Watson give his team a lead of 188 runs after he wrecked the Proteas and claimed five wickets in the process. Ryan Harris was a happy man too for he had four wickets to show for his efforts. All that changed in a hurry as Australian batsman failed to negotiate a challenging pitch at the Newlands, though the visitors managed to set a target of 236.
While only two batsmen reached double-figures for South Africa, Australia in the second innings had four ducks on their batting card. Vernon Philander showed, with his five wickets, that he could do exactly what Watson had done before.
There was obvious assistance from the track as well. The bowl seamed dangerously and bowlers from both sides took full advantage to ensure that Test statistics would need to be overhauled in just two days of play.
Australia’s lowest total in Test is 36 against England, scored in 1902 while South Africa have the dubious distinction of having their name four times in the list of the 5 lowest totals ever, 30 being their worst performance twice in 1896 and 1924.
