http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 credits bowlers for victory against Australia – Cricket News Update
South Africa’s Test skipper Graeme Smith credited his fast bowling trio of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753 for the sensational victory against Australia in the first Test of the two match series at Newlands, Cape Town in South Africa on Friday,
November 11, 2011.
The hosts conceded a first innings lead of 188 runs and were on the course of losing the match. However, and exceptional performance from the team’s pacers, especially Philander guided the side to a comfortable eight wicket win.
After http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598 had put the opposition into bat at the toss, Steyn came steaming in with the new ball and picked up wickets at regular intervals. He got fantastic support from Philander, who was making his Test debut and Morkel also chipped in with some wickets.
However, the Proteas batting failed miserably in their first outing. The team was all out below 100 runs and might not have thought of winning the match from then onwards.
After such a disappointing effort with the bat, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 needed something special from their bowlers and this was exactly what happened.
The home team’s bowlers restricted the opposition to 47 all out in their second innings and Philander picked up a five for on debut. His overall tally of wickets in the match was eight, which earned him the player of the match award as well.
This fabulous bowling performance shifted the momentum towards the South African team and they won the match comfortably in the end.
Smith was pleased with his side’s fight back. He said, “I think that's probably a win that I need to give to the bowlers, the way they fought back from a bad batting display and got us in the game and we were able to close them off, which is terrific.”
The winning captain further added, “It's quite incredible. Yesterday was a bit of a mind boggle for all of us. I think all the bowlers need credit. They bowled well. They bowled pretty straight and there was just enough movement either way that created the
chances and opportunities.”
South Africa are in a very good position of winning the Test series from now onwards. However, they will face a stiff challenge from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the second and final match.
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