Five Proteas-Australia Test moments to recall at Newlands
Before the series decider, IOL looked back at five Newlands Tests between South Africa and Australia, from a first home win in 1970 to the 2018 controversy.
With the series decider between the Proteas and Australia set for Tuesday, IOL Sport’s Zaahier Adams has revisited five Newlands Tests that stand out in the rivalry. Here is a summary of what he picked.
From 1970 to 2002
January 1970. Australia had taken every one of the first six Tests played at the Cape Town ground. Ali Bacher’s side ended that run with a 170-run win, helped by Eddie Barlow’s 127 in the first innings.
March 2002. The Proteas arrived after a record innings-and-360-run defeat at the Wanderers and made changes. They showed more fight at Newlands, with Andrew Hall, Paul Adams and Neil McKenzie all contributing. It was still not enough, as Australia reached a target of 331 on the last day and won by four wickets. Ricky Ponting stayed unbeaten on 100, reaching the milestone with a six off Adams. Shane Warne, in his 100th Test, took eight wickets across the match, and Australia secured the series.
Big runs and a collapse
March 2009. The series was already lost when South Africa piled up 651. AB de Villiers made 163, Jacques Kallis finished on 102 not out and Ashwell Prince scored 150. Prince had been promoted to open alongside debutant Imraan Khan and had publicly said he disliked the move, following a bust-up with some of his Proteas teammates in a domestic match. Left-arm spinner Paul Harris then took six wickets in Australia’s second innings, and the hosts won by an innings plus 20 runs.
November 2011. Michael Clarke’s 151 was among the finest innings seen at the ground. South Africa were bowled out for 96, giving Australia a first-innings lead of 188. Then debutant Vernon Philander took 5/15 and Australia crashed to 47 all out. The Proteas chased 236 and won by eight wickets.
March 2018. South Africa beat Australia by 322 runs in the third Test. Morné Morkel took 5/23 in the final innings as the visitors were dismissed for 107 while chasing 430. The match is also remembered for the ball-tampering controversy that featured Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner.
What to remember
The five matches give a sense of how swings in form have shaped Newlands contests, with batting displays and bowling collapses both deciding results. The series decider is on Tuesday, and readers who want the latest should check match reports on the day.
This story is based on reporting by IOL.
