Pakistan v South Africa, 2012-13

At Centurion, February 22-24, 2013. South Africa won by an innings and 18 runs. Toss: South Africa. Test debuts: K. J. Abbott; Ehsan Adil.

It was business as usual after the tension of Cape Town. South Africa dominated from start to finish, with stunning batting from two superstars and a seven-wicket haul from a debutant which answered any doubts about their fast-bowling depth. Amla and de Villiers were at their exhilarating best, while Kyle Abbott was "surprised but thrilled" to be added to the squad three days before the match following the injury to Morne Morkel. Towards the end of the final practice session, however, Jacques Kallis was treated for a thigh strain, and Abbott was placed on standby. "I never thought for a moment I'd actually play," he said. "Jacques is such a pro I just assumed he'd recover."

And when play began, Smith was out cheaply, providing the 19-year-old Ehsan Adil with a wicket from his third ball in Tests. But Amla was in glorious touch from the off, happy on this occasion to make use of the air as well as the grass. He cruised into the nineties, and seemed assured of a 20th Test century until a fine delivery from left-armer Rahat Ali produced an outside edge.

De Villiers was more circumspect but, when given a scoring opportunity, no less ruthless. He was even the junior partner in a seventh-wicket stand of 129 with Philander, whose Test-best 74 reminded those dazzled by the bright lights of his bowling record that he started professional life as a No. 6 batsman. Rahat was too loose to apply consistent pressure, but his pace never dropped, and he delivered enough dangerous deliveries to be good value for his six wickets.

When Pakistan batted, Abbott had Mohammad Hafeez caught in the gully with his sixth delivery, and never looked back. A remorseless off-stump line, movement away from the right-hander, and a sharp, well-directed bouncer were all he needed to earn five more catches in the cordon, plus an lbw to remove Younis Khan, last out for an obdurate 33. Only Lance Klusener had returned better figures on debut for South Africa than Abbott's seven for 29.

The follow-on may have become unfashionable but, armed with a lead of 253, Smith sensed another quick victory. The signs looked ominous for Pakistan when Steyn bowled a tentative Hafeez off the inside edge first ball, and they finished the second day contemplating another defeat. Next morning, Steyn had Younis caught at first slip, then ran out Azhar Ali with an athletic gather at fine leg and throw of astonishing power.

Abbott had hopes of ten wickets in the match when Imran Farhat, batting in the middle order with a bruised finger, edged to the keeper. But it was Kleinveldt who nipped in with the wickets of Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq in quick succession to leave the innings broken-backed at 114 for six a dozen overs after lunch. Sarfraz Ahmed and Saeed Ajmal formed an unlikely alliance, which lasted past the tea interval and contained some carefree hitting - although the fun was more that of a wake than a celebration. Eventually Steyn ended it when Ajmal was trapped in front, then Sarfraz top-edged to third man. Ehsan Adil chipped Abbott to mid-on to give him a ninth wicket, but Peterson claimed the last one. That left Abbott with nine for 68 - debut match figures bettered for his country only by Alf Hall in 1922-23 and Syd Burke in 1961-62 - and the rest of the world now wondering exactly when South Africa's procession of fast bowlers was going to dry up.
Man of the Match: K. J. Abbott. Man of the Series: A. B. de Villiers.