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Memorable performances in Australia-South Africa contests

Southern tussles

Australia and South Africa first played each other in 1902. Australia won the series 2-1, but among the highlights for South Africa was Jimmy Sinclair's (left) 80-minute century. Aubrey Faulkner (right) made South Africa's first double-century - in 1910-11 in Melbourne. South Africa lost that Test but won the next one, in Adelaide - their first against Australia.
Australia and South Africa first played each other in 1902. Australia won the series 2-1, but among the highlights for South Africa was Jimmy Sinclair's (left) 80-minute century. Aubrey Faulkner (right) made South Africa's first double-century - in 1910-11 in Melbourne. South Africa lost that Test but won the next one, in Adelaide - their first against Australia.•PA Photos
In the tournament, Australia and South Africa met each other in three Tests, which Australia won 2-0. Warren Bardsley (batting in the photo) scored 121 in the innings win at Old Trafford and 164 in the ten-wicket win at Lord's.
In the tournament, Australia and South Africa met each other in three Tests, which Australia won 2-0. Warren Bardsley (batting in the photo) scored 121 in the innings win at Old Trafford and 164 in the ten-wicket win at Lord's.•Getty Images
In Cape Town in 1957-58, chinaman bowler Lindsay Kline took a hat-trick to finish South Africa's second innings for 99. It was the last hat-trick taken in the country. The Australian side, termed by the press as the weakest from the country to ever embark on a tour, won 3-0.
In Cape Town in 1957-58, chinaman bowler Lindsay Kline took a hat-trick to finish South Africa's second innings for 99. It was the last hat-trick taken in the country. The Australian side, termed by the press as the weakest from the country to ever embark on a tour, won 3-0.•PA Photos
On Australia's next two tours to South Africa, the tables had turned completely. A dominant home side won 3-1 in 1966-67 and 4-0 in the historic 1969-70 series. Denis Lindsay (left) scored three crucial hundreds and took 24 catches in the first series; Barlow (right) scored two hundreds and took eight wickets in the second.
On Australia's next two tours to South Africa, the tables had turned completely. A dominant home side won 3-1 in 1966-67 and 4-0 in the historic 1969-70 series. Denis Lindsay (left) scored three crucial hundreds and took 24 catches in the first series; Barlow (right) scored two hundreds and took eight wickets in the second.•Getty Images
No luck getting past Warne in Sydney in 1997-98, though. He took 11 this time, including Jacques Kallis as his 300th Test victim, and Australia dismantled South Africa by an innings and 21 runs.
No luck getting past Warne in Sydney in 1997-98, though. He took 11 this time, including Jacques Kallis as his 300th Test victim, and Australia dismantled South Africa by an innings and 21 runs.•Getty Images
The tetchiness in the current series isn't new. In 2005-06, the South Africans complained of poor treatment and Mark Boucher said of the Australians: "I have lost respect for one or two of their players." Harsh treatment was meted out cricket-wise too: Ricky Ponting became the first player to score two hundreds in his 100th Test and Australia won 2-0.
The tetchiness in the current series isn't new. In 2005-06, the South Africans complained of poor treatment and Mark Boucher said of the Australians: "I have lost respect for one or two of their players." Harsh treatment was meted out cricket-wise too: Ricky Ponting became the first player to score two hundreds in his 100th Test and Australia won 2-0.•Getty Images
South Africa were bowled out for 96 in Cape Town in 2011. But then debutant seamer Vernon Philander dismissed Australia for 47. South Africa won by eight wickets.
South Africa were bowled out for 96 in Cape Town in 2011. But then debutant seamer Vernon Philander dismissed Australia for 47. South Africa won by eight wickets. •Getty Images
In the next Test, in Perth, South Africa were bowled out for 225, Australia for 163. Then Hashim Amla and de Villiers scored big hundreds and set Australia a target of 632. Dale Steyn and Philander ensured they were bowled out for around half of that.
In the next Test, in Perth, South Africa were bowled out for 225, Australia for 163. Then Hashim Amla and de Villiers scored big hundreds and set Australia a target of 632. Dale Steyn and Philander ensured they were bowled out for around half of that. •AFP
The final match of the series, at Newlands, was Graeme Smith's final Test. But the heroes were two Australians - David Warner, who scored hundreds in both innings, and Ryan Harris, who toppled over a stubborn South African tail, while practically bowling on one leg. Australia won the series 2-1.
The final match of the series, at Newlands, was Graeme Smith's final Test. But the heroes were two Australians - David Warner, who scored hundreds in both innings, and Ryan Harris, who toppled over a stubborn South African tail, while practically bowling on one leg. Australia won the series 2-1.•Getty Images
Like Faulkner, Victor Trumper also scored a double-century in defeat, in the next Test in Adelaide. It was the finest series of his career. He scored 662 runs at 94. Trumper was among the six leading Australian players who refused to tour England, over pay issues, in 1912 for the triangular tournament that also involved South Africa.
Like Faulkner, Victor Trumper also scored a double-century in defeat, in the next Test in Adelaide. It was the finest series of his career. He scored 662 runs at 94. Trumper was among the six leading Australian players who refused to tour England, over pay issues, in 1912 for the triangular tournament that also involved South Africa.•Getty Images
The contest was completely one-sided between 1921 and 1950. In 18 Tests, South Africa lost by an innings eight times and by ten wickets twice. In the 1935-36 series in South Africa, legendary legspinner Clarrie Grimmett took 44 wickets at 14.59 - still the Australian record for most wickets in a series.
The contest was completely one-sided between 1921 and 1950. In 18 Tests, South Africa lost by an innings eight times and by ten wickets twice. In the 1935-36 series in South Africa, legendary legspinner Clarrie Grimmett took 44 wickets at 14.59 - still the Australian record for most wickets in a series.•Getty Images
Graeme Pollock (175) and Eddie Barlow (201) added a then-South African record of 341 in the 1963-64 Adelaide Test - a ten-wicket win that helped South Africa level the series 1-1.
Graeme Pollock (175) and Eddie Barlow (201) added a then-South African record of 341 in the 1963-64 Adelaide Test - a ten-wicket win that helped South Africa level the series 1-1.•PA Photos
But the two South Africans who left an everlasting impression with their batting in the series were Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards (in the photo). Richards hit 140 off 164 balls and Pollock a sublime 274 in Durban. The two averaged over 70 in the series, and cricket lost two genius batsmen when South Africa was boycotted over apartheid.
But the two South Africans who left an everlasting impression with their batting in the series were Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards (in the photo). Richards hit 140 off 164 balls and Pollock a sublime 274 in Durban. The two averaged over 70 in the series, and cricket lost two genius batsmen when South Africa was boycotted over apartheid.•PA Photos
In between the heated Test battles, the two teams also managed to squeeze in perhaps the greatest one-dayer ever - the tied World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston in 1999.
In between the heated Test battles, the two teams also managed to squeeze in perhaps the greatest one-dayer ever - the tied World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston in 1999. •Getty Images
The Edgbatson semi-final was given a serious run for its money by the ODI series decider in Johannesburg in 2006. Ponting's 105-ball 164 powered Australia to the first 400-plus total. But South Africa successfully chased it after Herschelle Gibbs hit 175 off 111 balls.
The Edgbatson semi-final was given a serious run for its money by the ODI series decider in Johannesburg in 2006. Ponting's 105-ball 164 powered Australia to the first 400-plus total. But South Africa successfully chased it after Herschelle Gibbs hit 175 off 111 balls.•Getty Images
In Johannesburg that same series, debutant Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins took 6 for 79. Australia were set a target of 310. Philander took 5 for 70. But Mitchell Johnson and Cummins batted Australia to a two-wicket win.
In Johannesburg that same series, debutant Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins took 6 for 79. Australia were set a target of 310. Philander took 5 for 70. But Mitchell Johnson and Cummins batted Australia to a two-wicket win.•AFP
In the 2013-14 series, Johnson, fresh from his Ashes exploits, took 12 wickets in Centurion to wipe out South Africa. The hosts can't recover from the scale of the 281-run defeat and the psychological scars of Johnson's assault, said pundits.
In the 2013-14 series, Johnson, fresh from his Ashes exploits, took 12 wickets in Centurion to wipe out South Africa. The hosts can't recover from the scale of the 281-run defeat and the psychological scars of Johnson's assault, said pundits. •Getty Images
After four decades of misery, South Africa finally struck back in the away series in 1952-53, winning two Tests in Melbourne. Offspinner Hugh Tayfield (right) took 13 wickets in the win in the second Test and Roy McLean (left) made a thrilling 76 in 80 minutes on the final day of the fifth to level a series against Australia for the first time.
After four decades of misery, South Africa finally struck back in the away series in 1952-53, winning two Tests in Melbourne. Offspinner Hugh Tayfield (right) took 13 wickets in the win in the second Test and Roy McLean (left) made a thrilling 76 in 80 minutes on the final day of the fifth to level a series against Australia for the first time.•Getty Images
But the series is best remembered for Australian left-arm fast bowler Ian Meckiff being no-balled four times in his only over in Brisbane. Meckiff was carried off the field by his supporters, who booed umpire Col Egar, but it was the end of the bowler's Test career.
But the series is best remembered for Australian left-arm fast bowler Ian Meckiff being no-balled four times in his only over in Brisbane. Meckiff was carried off the field by his supporters, who booed umpire Col Egar, but it was the end of the bowler's Test career.•PA Photos
Thirty years after their last tour of Australia, a young South African side did their predecessors proud by drawing the series with an amazing five-run win in Sydney in 1994. Australia were set a target of 117 after Shane Warne took 12 in the match, but Fanie de Villiers destroyed the top order and ended the game with 10 for 123.
Thirty years after their last tour of Australia, a young South African side did their predecessors proud by drawing the series with an amazing five-run win in Sydney in 1994. Australia were set a target of 117 after Shane Warne took 12 in the match, but Fanie de Villiers destroyed the top order and ended the game with 10 for 123.•Getty Images
A dismantling of greater proportions occurred in Johannesburg in 2002. The architect this time was Adam Gilchrist, with what was then the fastest Test double-century (off 212 balls). South Africa fell to their heaviest defeat, by an innings and 360 runs.
A dismantling of greater proportions occurred in Johannesburg in 2002. The architect this time was Adam Gilchrist, with what was then the fastest Test double-century (off 212 balls). South Africa fell to their heaviest defeat, by an innings and 360 runs.•Getty Images
Two years later, South Africa chased down a target of 414 in the Perth Test - courtesy AB de Villiers and debutant JP Duminy. In the next Test, in Melbourne, Duminy hit a sublime 166 that set up South Africa's first series win in Australia.
Two years later, South Africa chased down a target of 414 in the Perth Test - courtesy AB de Villiers and debutant JP Duminy. In the next Test, in Melbourne, Duminy hit a sublime 166 that set up South Africa's first series win in Australia.•PA Photos
Adelaide 2012: South Africa were 250 for 7 and staring at a follow-on. Debutant Faf du Plessis batted for over three hours for 78 to avert it. South Africa were set 430 and went to stumps on day four at 77 for 4, after which du Plessis batted for more than seven and a half hours for an unbeaten century and saved the Test.
Adelaide 2012: South Africa were 250 for 7 and staring at a follow-on. Debutant Faf du Plessis batted for over three hours for 78 to avert it. South Africa were set 430 and went to stumps on day four at 77 for 4, after which du Plessis batted for more than seven and a half hours for an unbeaten century and saved the Test.•Getty Images
But they did, in Port Elizabeth. De Villiers, Duminy and Amla scored hundreds and Morne Morkel, Philander and Steyn wrapped up the match inside four days.
But they did, in Port Elizabeth. De Villiers, Duminy and Amla scored hundreds and Morne Morkel, Philander and Steyn wrapped up the match inside four days.•Getty Images