Australia win by 175 runs and lead the series 2-0. They've completely turned the tables on South Africa after what happened in Australia late last year. Talk about revenge.
South Africa were in with a fighting chance to draw the game at the start this morning but the new ball did the trick. Both Kallis and de Villiers fell early and the result was inevitable from there on. Australia were under pressure at the start of the series to retain their No.1 ranking and they have done so in ruthless fashion, thanks to their young brigade.
South Africa will blame it all on their batting in the first innings of both Tests. Was it complacency or were their players tired? Robin Jackman made a valid point on commentary that the board should have organised a practice game for the Test side against a composite XI before the series to shrug off the rustiness. That they managed to beat India and West Indies after losing the opening Test is another story. But against Australia, you cannot afford to take things lightly and hopefully lessons will be learnt.
Stay with us for the presentation.
Smith: "We haven't been able to maintain the intensity. We've got to be honest with ourselves and take it on the chin. We'd like to bounce back as soon as possible. I went 10 years without breaking a finger and now I've broken two in three Tests. The squad has done well over a period of time."
Ponting: "We knew we had our backs to the wall. People probably overlooked how close the series was back at home. It feels different ( leading a team I have built). All of a sudden we look good again (laughs)."
Phillip Hughes is the Man of the Match "Been an exciting two weeks. There's been a lot of hype and talk about how different my batting is. All the guys in the pub at Macksville (NSW) got a free beer (laughs)."
That's it from all of us here. We'll see you at Newlands in CapeTown on March 19. On behalf of Siddhartha Talya and Raju, this is Kanishkaa signing off. Cheers!
DW Steyn st †Haddin b Katich 7 (27m 22b 0x4 0x6) SR: 31.81
END OF OVER:132 | 3 Runs | SA: 370/8
- Makhaya Ntini4 (3b)
- Dale Steyn7 (20b)
- Marcus North20-6-36-1
- Simon Katich11-1-45-2