SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA 1949-50

At Cape Town, December 31, January 2, 3, 4. Australia won by eight wickets. All hopes of a South African victory were virtually dispelled by the end of the first day, during which Australia scored 312 for four wickets. The Australians batted competently: Harvey, who excelled in technique and fluency, played the bowling with ease, and passed his previous highest score in Test cricket, 153 against India in 1948. When Hassett declared with three wickets in hand South Africa began in promising style. E. Rowan and Nourse dealt correctly with McCool's leg breaks but most of their colleagues, by hesitant footwork, played weakly against the spin bowler. Nourse proved the dominant figure in the second innings and largely because of his endeavours, South Africa cleared off arrears of 248. Tayfield and Mann shared a stand of 100 for the eighth wicket, but Australia experienced little difficulty in scoring the 86 runs required for victory.