Debutant du Plessis stars in thrilling draw
The debutant Faf du Plessis helped South Africa hang on for a thrilling draw on the final day in Adelaide
22/11Result
2nd Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Adelaide, Nov 22-26 2012
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
550 & 267/8d -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
388 & 248/8 (148 ov)
Player of the Match
22/11Result
2nd Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Adelaide, Nov 22-26 2012
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
550 & 267/8d -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
388 & 248/8 (148 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Australia count the cost
Michael Clarke has a tough task to pick up his players in time for the Perth Test and his bowling attack may need to be reshaped after the efforts in Adelaide
Du Plessis' lesson in stonewalling
Faf du Plessis' epic rearguard century was the stuff of dreams for his team, and a nightmare that just wouldn't go away for Australia
Smith holds out hope for Kallis
Jacques Kallis will play in the third Test in Perth if he is fit enough to bat and field, although he will definitely not bowl
Du Plessis survives three reviews and an edge
Plays of the Day from the final day of the Adelaide Test
Can South Africa draw inspiration?
South Africa have still not lost a Test away from home since February 2010 but Graeme Smith knows his side have been well below their best in Australia
Clarke backs Ponting to rebound
Michael Clarke is far less equivocal about Ricky Ponting's international future than the man himself, insisting his predecessor as leader can prosper again
Day 4
Bowlers keep Australia in control
Zero to one millimetre of rain is forecast for the final day in Adelaide. One millimetre can be enough to save a batsman if a bowler has overstepped the crease but it won't be sufficient to rescue South Africa in this Test
Birthday boy dismisses birthday boy
Plays of the Day for the fourth day of the second Test between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide
Pattinson ruled out for Test summer
Pain from an unusual side and rib injury that has ruled James Pattinson out for the rest of the Test summer was so acute that Ricky Ponting revealed the 22-year-old fast bowler "could hardly breathe" after bowling on the third day in Adelaide
Where to now for Imran Tahir?
The long and winding road that Imran Tahir travelled from Pakistan to England to South Africa is in danger of becoming a dead end.
South Africa wave the white flag
South Africa don't look anything like the side that dominated England earlier this year and if it is killer instinct they are lacking in, they are in some trouble
Pressure personified
Australia's bowlers and fielders were relentless on the fourth day, keeping South Africa under constant pressure despite the absence of James Pattinson
Day 3
South Africa fight, but still face hefty chase
Plenty of things went right for South Africa on the third day in Adelaide but they still faced the prospect of a difficult chase as Australia led by 273 runs at stumps
Lyon transcends his figures
By varying his offbreak, Nathan Lyon can bowl six different balls without perceptible change of hand of wrist action. It is a skill that was vital for Australia in this match.
No nerves for du Plessis
Faf du Plessis displayed maturity and patience in his knock of 78, and seems to be the right man to take a South African middle-order spot
Jacques Kallis doubtful for Perth Test
Jacques Kallis will bat in the ongoing second Test in Adelaide but the exacerbation of his hamstring injury is likely to rule him out of the third Test in Perth, starting November 30
Injuries galore, Tahir's nightmare continues
Plays of the Day for the third day of the second Test between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide
Pattinson sidelined by side pain
James Pattinson, the Australia fast bowler, may have broken down again with serious injury after he complained of side pain when taking the second new ball on the third morning of the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide
Ponting, Quiney wobble as Watson improves
Ricky Ponting may have only one more Test to prove his worth to Australia's 2013 Ashes campaign and Rob Quiney's brief moment in the sun appears to be over
Day 2
Smith hundred steers South Africa
Another day, another captain's innings. Graeme Smith's century on the second afternoon in Adelaide might not have had the elegance of Michael Clarke's double-hundred on day one, but it was no less important for his side
South Africa take small steps on road to parity
South Africa fought back in the field through Morne Morkel, dismissing Australia for 550, after which Graeme Smith led a strong response with the bat
The reality of the morning after
The cricket on day one was unbelievable; the play on the second day was more sober and conventional
Relief for Kleinveldt, Smith the Survivor
Plays of the Day for the second day of the second Test between Australia and South Africa at Adelaide Oval
Smith's legacy continues to rise
Smith's life outside cricket may eventually take him away from cricket. But until it does, there should be plenty more to celebrate. Adelaide 2012 is proof of that.
Day 1
Another Clarke double-ton deflates South Africa
Australia piled on 482 runs on the first day in Adelaide, where Michael Clarke became the first player in Test history to score four double-centuries in a calendar year
Warner's ADD cricket sets the pace
David Warner's counterattacking innings seized the advantage for Australia on day one in Adelaide, and his team-mates then built fabulously on the platform he had set up
The evolution of Clarke the untouchable
The public perception of Michael Clarke has changed dramatically in his eight years as a Test cricketer
Clarke prospers with attacking intent
Michael Clarke, after his unbeaten double-century in Adelaide, has said it's his formula of "counter-attack, being positive, playing my natural game" that has helped him succeed
Kallis' absence leaves a big void
South Africa appeared clueless after Kallis left the field today and the allrounder's absence is something the team needs to plan for in the near future when he finally retires
Injured Kallis unable to bowl, but can bat
Jacques Kallis will not be able to bowl for the remainder of the second Test but he will be able to bat, after the allrounder sustained a hamstring injury in Adelaide
Clarke's record-breaking run continues
Stats highlights from day one of the second Australia v South Africa Test in Adelaide
Cowan gets 'caught lbw'
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the first day between Australia and South Africa in Adelaide
How little training is too little for South Africa?
While too much cricket is never a good thing, a certain amount of conditioning is a must to build up the fitness levels required to get through a Test match
Others
'Everything inside me didn't want to give it away'
It was a decision he took seven years ago that brought Faf du Plessis the heroic status he enjoys in South Africa today
Faf celebrated in the land he denied
Faf du Plessis' epic fourth-innings hundred, which lasted nearly eight hours in the heat and humidity of Adelaide, is one of the greatest match-saving innings
To sub, or not to sub?
Game-changing injuries during Australia's joust with South Africa have aided the case for substitutes in Test cricket. Once a taboo, the concept is gaining momentum
Du Plessis leads South Africa's great escape
Statistical highlights from the Adelaide Test between Australia and South Africa
Clarke insists Watson saga no distraction
Australia's captain Michael Clarke has denied the saga surrounding Shane Watson's futile attempt to be fit for the Adelaide Test is a distraction for the team as they attempt to claim a 1-0 lead in the series against South Africa
Organised support system to aid Lyon
Australia is building a support system in place for offspinner Nathan Lyon, to ensure his path of advice is defined
Du Plessis ready to take his chance
The injury to JP Duminy has given Faf du Plessis his shot at Test cricket, and he has prepared well for this opportunity
Faf wears an apron
Gideon Haigh joins Jarrod Kimber to discuss the great Faf, Imran's heavy hand, the end for Quiney, fair pitches, Rory's comeback and Josh's free hotel rooms
Smith content with high expectations
Nine years as an international cricket captain has given Graeme Smith more than just records. It has handed him a wide-angle lens from which to view the game, something that comes in handy when the here and now is seen as the most important thing