The Australia tour of South Africa: A walk to remember
In words of Vincent van Gogh,“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
A month ago, when Australia announced their tour of South Africa, everyone anticipated it to be a great contest between the two teams. Much to everyone’s surprise, the series got off to a flyer with Australia winning the first Test quite comfortably, thus reminding everyone their formidable record against the hosts.
But to everyone’s surprise, South Africa pulled a comeback out of nowhere and left Australia in dire straits. With the series going in South Africa’s favor, this Test series has been one to watch out for, with controversies flying right from the first match to players getting banned and some exciting cricket being played over the past 30 days, this series is not something one would soon forget.
The reasons why South Africa V/s Australia is a series not to forget:
#1 South Africa’s formidable home record
South Africa, has been a dominant side when it comes to playing a Test series, especially in South Africa. Then be it the dominant phase where they did not lose a single Test series except for Australia in the span of six years (2007-2013) or be it the series victory against the Indian team led by Virat Kohli who came unbeaten to South Africa, they have been a side to look out for.
Despite being high on confidence, the Australian side has been able to get the better of the hosts on their home soil for years. Be it the 2008/09 Test series where Australia defeated South Africa by 2-1 or be it the 2013/14 Test series between the two with the visitors defeating the hosts again by a margin of 2-1.
And with Australia announcing their tour of South Africa this year, all the memories came back and the eyes were again on South Africa as they had a task in its hand to undo what was done before.
Although Australia defeated South Africa in the first Test in Kingsmead, Durban, this time South Africa came back stronger with some good performances from Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander and gave it back to Australia. With South Africa winning the last Test by its biggest margin ever, South Africa will surely be glad to have a home Test series victory against Australia since their readmission in 1992.