Zee Media Bureau/Chaitan PapnaiPort Elizabeth: The most high-profile series of the year between Australia and South Africa is certainly justifying its top billing. In the three-match Test series, two matches are already being played and the series is well poised with 1-1 at the moment.
Both the teams have world-class fast bowlers and in the first two matches they have proved their mettle. In the first Test at Centurion, Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson played the role of a protagonist. The left-arm speedster not only created fear in the minds of South African batsmen by his fiery spells but also took 12 wickets in the match to help the visitors take a lead of 1-0 in the series.
If if was Johnson`s show in the first Test then South African pacers bowled their heart out in the next match at Port Elizabeth to level the series. Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Wayne Parnell produced some outstanding spells to bundle down the tourists on mere 246 runs in their first innings, which gave the home side a formidable lead of 177 runs. If Parnell took two wickets then Morkel and Philander shared six wickets among them.
But the leading South African bowler, Dayle Steyn saved his best for the last. When Australia were given the target of 447 runs to win the match, Steyn created havoc in the Australian middle order by scalping all three crucial wickets of Michael Clarke, Steven Smith and Brad Haddin in a quick succession.
He first sent skipper Clarke and Smith to the pavilion in two consecutive balls and then within a couple of overs sent Haddin`s middle stump for a walk. Steyn ended with a four wicket haul that assisted South Africa to make a comeback in the series.
Fast bowlers from both the teams have set the tone for the third and final Test, which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town. So, it would be a interesting to see which team will have the last laugh.
First Published: Monday, February 24, 2014, 17:19
