5 players with the best bowling record in Australia-South Africa Tests
After a golden summer at home, the Steven Smith-led Australia are ready to pit their wits against Faf du Plessis' South Africa in a high-octane four-match Test series that begins at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday, March 1.
The number two and three teams in the ICC Test Rankings have played 94 Test matches against each other and the unit from Down Under has won 51 out of them, while 20 ended in draws.
However, the last time these two teams locked horns in November 2016, the Proteas emerged victorious, claiming the three-match series 2-1, with wins in Perth and Hobart.
Similar to the zest and fervour for the upcoming series, all the past encounters between Australia and South Africa have been quite intriguing. Players from both the sides have always tried to put their best foot forward to dominate the opposition as much as possible.
Now, let's have a look at five magicians, who top-performed with the ball, whenever Australia and South Africa faced each other in whites.
#5 Hugh Tayfield
Hugh Tayfield, the greatest spinner produced by the Rainbow Nation, was instrumental in defining South African cricket in the 1950s.
Tayfield was an emergency replacement for Athol Rowan to play against Australia in the 1949-50 series and soon, he became a legend of the sport.
Between 1949 and 1958, Tayfield played 15 Tests (8-ball overs) against the Aussies and claimed 64 wickets at 34.50 and an economy of 2.19.
The man who claimed 170 wickets from 37 Tests, recorded four five-fors and a 10-wicket haul against the team from Down Under.
Tayfield recorded his best bowling figures against Australia in a 1952 Test at Melbourne. In the first innings he claimed six wickets by giving away 84 runs, followed by 7 for 81 in the second.
Tayfield's match tally of 13 wickets ensured South Africa's 82-run win and eventually, the series ended in a 2-2 draw. It was the first time that a series between the two sides had not been won by Australia.