RESULT
1st Test, Centurion, February 12 - 15, 2014, Australia tour of South Africa
397 & 290/4d
(T:482) 206 & 200

Australia won by 281 runs

Player Of The Match
33, 7/68 & 5/59
mitchell-johnson
New
SA 2nd Innings
Full commentary

Australia win by 281 runs. What a performance from them. They came into the series confident, of course, after the Ashes whitewash but they have just trounced the No. 1 team in the world in four days. And it's not just the margin of victory, it's the mental scars that they have inflicted on the opposition. And, have no doubt, there will be some regardless of the quality in the South Africa team. This has been a humbling. As zcfoutkast puts it: "Battered, bruised, embarrassed!" I will stick around to bring you the presentation ceremony.

So many issues for South Africa to face, just as happened to England in Brisbane a few months ago. But they are at home. It really has been a phenomenal match for the way Australia have dominated. Only when they were 98 for 4 - not an unusual position for them - were they in any trouble. And it's not just about Johnson (even if it mostly is). Don't forget Marsh, or Smith, or Doolan, or Warner or the support from the other bowlers. Quirky stat, too, as it's consecutive wins by the same margin for Australia following the 281-run in Sydney.

Presentation time...Graeme Smith. "It's very disappointing. We've been out-played from word go. Probably one of the most disappointing four days as we've had as a team. We need to reflect, train hard and perform much better. It seemed to one of those games; bowlers picking up niggles, food poisoning. At 100 for 4 we were pretty happy. But credit Mitchell Johnson. AB showed tremendous skill on a difficult wicket, the rest of us have performed well for a period of time so need to look back to those moments. We allowed Australia to play front-runner cricket and that's unusual for us."

Michael Clarke. "Winning is always the best start. Credit to the bowlers and batters, Alex Doolan played an amazing innings on debut. We knew how tough a team South Africa were and you felt that especially as a batsman. It doesn't feel like an easy win when you are out there. You have to be on from ball one and we were. We knew it would tough on day one but we thought the cracks would come in. Mitchell is at the top of his game, he's fit and strong and his execution is perfect. Our fielding has been outstanding over the last six months, we have high expectations and it's nice to see some results. It's about enjoying tonight and celebrating - it's not every day you beat the No. 1 side - but we have to ready for PE."

Man of the Match is Mitchell Johnson "We set the game up with our batters. We bowled really well as a team. We felt there was a little in the wicket, we saw Morne get some bounce. When plans come off it's really nice. I was very nervous and pumped up for this match, so to come out and do this is very good. I'm here to be the intimidator which is what I have done here. Now we have an extra day to get back up for it."

That just about wraps things up for the commentary team for this match. Firdose and Dan will have all the post-match analysis during the rest of the day, but from Andrew McGlashan and Alan Gardner it's goodbye for now and thanks for joining us. The second Test starts from Port Elizabeth on Thursday. We'll see you then.

59.4
1W
Harris to Morkel, 1 run, OUT

it's all over! What a shambolic way to finish! Morkel turned the ball off his body behind square, it was an easy single but he turned and came back for a second. Wasn't even in the frame as the throw from Lyon reached Haddin who broke the stumps.

Morne Morkel run out (Lyon/†Haddin) 1 (4b 0x4 0x6 10m) SR: 25
59.3
1
Harris to Philander, 1 run

comes round the wicket, banged in short and it's pulled away between deep square and long leg...a superb diving on the boundary by Rogers cuts off the four

59.2
4
Harris to Philander, FOUR runs

back on a full length and driven through the off side for the second time in the over

59.2
1w
Harris to Philander, 1 wide

short ball outside off, he bails out of the pull and it's called wide

59.1
4
Harris to Philander, FOUR runs

now he drives strongly through the off side, full outside off and it's put away with poise

end of over 5911 runs
SA: 189/9CRR: 3.20 
Vernon Philander17 (15b 2x4 1x6)
Morne Morkel0 (3b)
Peter Siddle 16-6-55-2
Ryan Harris 12-5-24-2
58.6
1
Siddle to Philander, 1 run

banged in even shorter, he doesn't hold back and hooks this to long leg

Dale: "A lot of people will credit MJ for Aus's turnaround but there is one man who I think has more responsibility. Boof Lehman take a bow"

58.5
6
Siddle to Philander, SIX runs

another pull shot, and this time he connects well enough to clear deep square-leg...a little bit of late defiance

58.4
Siddle to Philander, no run

full and angling into the stumps, defended to mid-on

58.3
Siddle to Philander, no run

fuller, defended off the back foot

58.2
Siddle to Philander, no run

140kph, tries again, but it's shorter and beats the top edge

58.1
4
Siddle to Philander, FOUR runs

strong pull shot, picked up the length early and crunched it through square leg

end of over 585 runs • 1 wicket
SA: 178/9CRR: 3.06 
Morne Morkel0 (3b)
Vernon Philander6 (9b 1x4)
Ryan Harris 12-5-24-2
Peter Siddle 15-6-44-2
57.6
Harris to Morkel, no run

defended square into the off side

Brian: "The schedule for this test was ridiculous. There was hardly anyone at the ground for the first couple of days and now that the weekend's here the test will be over before Sunday." Yes, shame it started on a Wednesday.

57.5
Harris to Morkel, no run

stands on leg stump, defends back down the pitch

57.4
Harris to Morkel, no run

short, speared down the leg side...just a bit more tumbling for Haddin. It's not been a long innings, but Haddin has had plenty of work

No broken bones for Steyn, which has to class as a small victory for South Africa. One to go for the victory that matters.

57.3
W
Harris to Steyn, OUT

safe as you like! Regulation stuff. Length ball outside off, didn't really need to play, feeling for it and a nice edge travels to second slip.

Dale Steyn c Clarke b Harris 3 (8b 0x4 0x6 13m) SR: 37.5
57.2
1
Harris to Philander, 1 run

driven off the back foot into the gap at cover

Adrian will be happy about this change: "Do the right thing Clarkey. Give a Rhino a bowl and build him up for the next test with a couple of wickets! Mitch has had his share"

57.1
4
Harris to Philander, FOUR runs

short and wide, a loosener, and it's cut over backward point

Change of bowling. Ryan Harris back into the attack.

end of over 572 runs
SA: 173/8CRR: 3.03 
Dale Steyn3 (7b)
Vernon Philander1 (7b)
Peter Siddle 15-6-44-2
Mitchell Johnson 16-3-59-5
56.6
Siddle to Steyn, no run

full on middle, defended

56.5
Siddle to Steyn, no run

nips in from outside off, he's across his crease and defends

56.4
Siddle to Steyn, no run

ducks a short ball, 139kph

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