Another Series For South Africa

Robin Petersen,
MOM at Newlands

South Africa took an unassailable lead in the three Test home series against Pakistan with a stunning victory at Newlands, despite a spirited showing from the visitors, ten wickets to a rejuvenated Saeed Ajmal and being behind for most of the game.

After Pakistan slumped to 4-33 not long after drinks on the first morning, with South Africa's pace attack scything through the top order, a repeat of the debacle in Johannesburg looked imminent. The rest of the day belonged to the Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq who both reached hundreds late in the day until the new ball broke their partnership of 219. It was the 21st Test hundred for Younis, scoring more sedately these days. Australia remains the only Test nation he has failed to peel a hundred from.

Pakistan went on to 338, mainly thanks to some late order hitting from Tanver Ahmed. The South Africans started their reply after lunch and all was well after an hour with Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen making steady progress but the introduction of Ajmal changed all that. By stumps, South Africa were still a long way behind, with all five wickets falling to Ajmal.

Ajmal took 6-96 & 4-51

Dean Elgar became Ajmal's sixth victim before lunch on day three and the Proteas were less than halfway but these South Africans are steely fellows these days and are hard to suppress even when your foot is on their throat. Robin Petersen made his highest Test score of 84, deVillers fought on with a half century and Philander provided resistance and they trailed by only 12.

Pakistan started with disaster, losing both openers without a run being scored and despite climbing to 3-114 at one stage thanks to Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq, they collapsed on the fourth morning and could set South Africa only 182. Philander bagged 4-40 to go with his five first innings wickets and looks to have returned to his deadly form of twelve months ago.

Umar Gull had Alviro Petersen plumb with a skidder in the fourth over but after Smith and Hasim Amla added 53, Ajmal started weaving his magic and had Smith and then Kallis lbw. South Africa were not safe as AB deVilliers came to the wicket but he and Amla refuted Ajmal and attacked the rest with a partnership of 62 from 14 overs. When Amla became Ajmal's fourth victim, the game was all but won.

Robin Petersen was named Man of the Match for his audacious 84 which bought South Africa back into the match on the third day but again deVillers had strong claims and Vernon Philander was completely overlooked after taking 9-99 and being the man at the other end when Petersen was flailing.

The third Test starts at Centurion on Friday.