Smith hails successive series wins Down Under as ‘proudest achievement’ – Cricket News Update
Ecstatic after inflicting a series-clinching 309-run win over Australia in the third Test at the WACA Ground in Perth, South African skipper Graeme Smith hailed the second successive series win Down Under as the finest moment of his decorated cricketing career.
"It's hard to describe how satisfying this feels, to have done it twice is difficult to put into words," said the Proteas’ skipper at the post-match presentation ceremony after his side’s colossal win over the mighty Aussies on Monday.
"One win here seemed a very long way off when we lost 2-0 back in 2005, but now we have won twice."
"It's incredible - every single one of the players can feel extremely proud of themselves."
"This is the proudest achievement of my career," added an overjoyed Smith, a veteran of 105 Tests, 97 of them as captain.
After having struggled for draws in the first two Tests of the three-match series, at Brisbane and Adelaide, the Proteas dominated the Kangaroos in the series decider in Perth, annihilating the hosts by 309 runs, to seal the series 1-0.
South Africa got off to a tumultuous start in Perth, after being bundled out for just 225 in their first innings, on the opening day. However, the tourists fought their way back into the match through pace trio Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, rolling over the home side for just 163 in 53.1 overs.
Dazzling centuries from Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, 196 and 169 respectively, then put the Proteas in a commanding position in the decider. Skipper Smith contributed with valuable 84 runs, as the visitors went on to amass 569 runs in their second innings, setting a mammoth 632-run target for Australia to win.
Hailing his side’s fighting spirit, Smith described the second day of the Perth Test as the defining point in the series.
"Day two for me has got to go down as one of the highlights of South African cricket," he said. "The way we bowled and the way we batted in that evening session to take the game away from Australia."
The 1-0 series win also allowed the South Africans to retain their top ranking in Test cricket, with Test No. 2 England trailing them by six rating points.
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