The Proteas, thanks to a superb Vernon Philander
(6/21), cruised to victory in the fourth and final Test
against Australia at the Wanderers on Tuesday, 3 April.
The hosts won by a staggering 492 runs ¡V Australia were
bowled out for 119 ¡V on day five to bring the curtain
down on a series that was marred by controversy from
start to finish, but will be remembered for decades.
Philander was unplayable on the day and took six wickets
in 32 balls.
The fourth Test started with Australian coach Darren
Lehmann resigning, and it ended with South Africa
inflicting their biggest-ever victory (previous was 323
in 1970), by runs, over their fiercest rivals.
It is also the fourth-biggest win margin by runs in the
history of Test cricket.
Most importantly, though, the Proteas have beaten
Australia for the first time in a home Test series since
re-admission in 1991 ¡V and the first since Ali Bacher's
iconic team of 1969/70.
Ever since they lost the first Test in Durban, this
series has belonged to the hosts as they recorded
victories in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and now
Johannesburg to triumph 3-1.
Following a 2-1 series win at home to India, it ended a
successful summer for Ottis Gibson and his men.
¡V Source:
www.sport24.co.za |