By Lucky Maree
The rain-plagued third test between South Africa and Australia was always heading towards a draw.
But the Aussies gave it a full go in spite of already having won the series 2-0 while, once again, the Proteas went through the motions.
At tea time, with 39 overs to go on day five, Australia still needed nine wickets to win the match, and it seemed an impossible challenge for Australia.
Earlier during the morning, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer showed some serious backbone and took South Africa tantalisingly close to avoiding the follow on. Forcing Australia to bat again would already have taken the victory away from Australia at that stage, but that was not to be. South Africa were all out for 255 and Australia sent the Proteas out to bat again.
Dean Elgar went for 10 runs, once again getting caught behind from a rising ball by Josh Hazelwood, leaving Australia needing nine wickets in one session.
With runs no longer relevant and with the scoring slowed down to a trickle, it appeared all over bar the shouting.
Heinrich Klaasen surrendered his wicket for 35 runs after a defiant performance facing 86 balls. He had probably done enough to convince even the Aussies that they could no longer win the match.
It’s a sad testament to the state of South African cricket that we feel like celebrating a tame draw.
The truth is that in five days, only the weather and the performances of a few South Africans saved the Proteas from a whitewash.
If there could be best-of-the-worst awards, Anrich Nortje could be applauded for his spirited performance when his fellow players were slouching around the pitch. Temba Bavuma put up a good performance with the bat. His 65 in the first innings was spoiled only by the careless way in which he went out. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer showed how a good attitude can make a difference.
The Proteas have a lot of work to do – if they feel like it.
Third test. Australia vs South Africa. Sydney Cricket Ground. Match drawn.
First innings:
Australia 475 declared
South Africa 255
Second innings:
South Africa 106 for 2
South African top scorers: Sarel Erwee 42, Heinrich Klaasen 35.
Aus wicket-takers: Josh Hazelwood 1, Pat Cummins 1
Pictured above: Aussies celebrate as Dean Algar vacates the pitch.
Image source: Getty Images.
