The Australian cricket team managed to avoid their 8th consecutive loss at the hands of the Proteas in the past two months, when they defeated the visitors on Day 4 of the third and final test at the Adelaide Oval in Australia today.
The Proteas, who already clinched the series in the second test, were hoping for some retribution after captain, Faf Du Plessis was fined for “ball tampering” during the second test. Du Plessis will appeal the decision.
Despite receiving a “chilly” reception from the Aussie faithful when he walked out to bat on Day 1, Du Plessis scored an unbeaten 118 to steer the visitors to 259/9 declared in their first innings, with good support by Stephen Cook (40). Josh Hazlewood picked up 4-68 for the hosts.
The Aussies set the tone in their first innings when they scored 383 with Usman Khawaja top scoring with 145 and being well supported by captain, Steve Smith (59), Peter Handscomb (54) and Mitchell Starc (53). Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada each picked up three wickets for the Proteas.
The Aussie bowlers and in particular, Mitchell Starc who picked up four wickets, were rewarded for their good bowling when they bowled the Proteas out for 250. Proteas opener, Stephen Cook top scored with 104, with Hashim Amla scoring 45.
This meant that the Aussies needed just 127 runs to win and this on the second anniversary of the tragic death of their fellow cricketer, Phillip Hughes, who passed away as a result of injuries sustained during a Sheffield Shield match. As a mark of respect, both teams wore black armbands with Hughes’ initials, PH on.
Hughes former teammate and close friend, David Warner, was unable to see the hosts to victory when he was run out by Temba Bavuma off the bowling of Tabraiz Shamsi, with his score on 47, with the Aussies still needing 63 runs for victory, which is also the score that Hughes was not out on when the tragic accident happened.
Khawaja was trapped lbw without scoring in the same over by Shamsi and it was left to captain, Steve Smith and debutant, Matt Renshaw to see the hosts home and they almost did until Steve Smith, with his score on 40, received a blinder from Kyle Abbott and was caught behind by De Kock.
Fellow debutant, Handscomb joined Renshaw at the crease and they saw the hosts home to 127/3 and with it, victory by 7 wickets.
Apart from some good individual performances in both teams, umpire Richard Kettleborough from England shone with a perfect umpiring record.
Usman Khawaja picked up the Man of the Match award, whilst a very surprised, but well deserved, Vernon Philander scooped up the Man of the Series award.