Biggest Test win since 1934
Statistical highlights of the final day of South Africa's home summer, which culminated in a 492-run win against Australia
Bharath Seervi
03-Apr-2018
AFP
South Africa completed a 492-run victory in the final Test at the Wanderers, the biggest victory, in terms of runs, for any team since 1934. There have been three wins by a margin of over 500 runs. The biggest victory in Test history is also against Australia - 675 runs by England in 1928 in Don Bradman's debut.
South Africa's previous biggest Test win was by 358 runs against New Zealand, also at the Wanderers in 2007-08. This 492-run victory is South Africa's fourth win by over 300 runs since the start of 2017: they won by 340 runs against England, 333 runs against Bangladesh and by 322 runs against Australia in the previous Test. All other teams combined have managed only two 300-plus-run victories in the last 15 months.
Philander's best figures
Vernon Philanders rattled through Australia's batting order on the fifth morning, finishing with 6 for 21, his career best. He also finished with match figures of 9 for 51. He had an average of 5.66 runs per wicket, which is also his best in any Test. He also completed 200 Test wickets during the Wanderers Test.
| Player | Runs | Wkts | Venue | Year |
| SCJ Broad (ENG) | 15 | 8 | Nottingham | 2015 |
| W Rhodes (ENG) | 17 | 7 | Birmingham | 1902 |
| MA Holding (WI) | 21 | 6 | Perth | 1984 |
| VD Philander (SA) | 21 | 6 | Johannesburg | 2018 |
| R Peel (ENG) | 23 | 6 | The Oval | 1896 |
| HJ Tayfield (SA) | 23 | 7 | Durban | 1950 |
Philander's 6 for 21 is the most economical six-wicket haul for South Africa against Australia, beating Hugh Tayfield's 7 for 23 in Durban in 1950. Against Australia, only Stuart Broad's 8 for 15 in 2015 and Wilfred Rhodes' 7 for 17 in 1902 are more economical.
South Africa's complete dominance
Despite a defeat in the first Test, South Africa made five 300-plus totals while Australia managed only one, in the first Test in Durban. South Africa hit five centuries, Australia failed to hit even one. The highest score for Australia was Mitchell Marsh's 96 in the first Test. Australia didn't manage a century partnership, while South Africa had four.
| Team | Runs per wkt | 300+ totals | 100s | 100+ p'ships | 5-wkt hauls |
| South Africa | 41.26 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Australia | 35.10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
South Africa's bowlers picked up four five-wicket hauls and a ten-for compared to two five-fors by Australia. The South African pacers averaged 18.59 runs per wicket, while Australia's pacers conceded 32.13 runs per wicket.
Bharath Seervi is stats sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @SeerviBharath