Test cricket is still alive!! - part2

Now Ricky Ponting laughed and cracked jokes with comrades while his counterpart coaxed from his team a performance of the utmost resilience. At daggers drawn for so many years these opponents forged a spirit that tolerated both fierce play and friendship. It was the spirit of true sport. Doubtless their experiences in the Indian Premier League forged an understanding. Perhaps it helped that the sting had been taken out of low catches by referring them to an independent adjudicator. But credit must also be given to leaders responsible for ensuring their charges represented their nations with honour and mutual respect. Ultimately it is down to the captains. No grizzles, no gripes. Australia was superb in victory, South African magnificent in defeat.

In the end justice was served as the stronger side prevailed in both the series and the final Test. Australia took control of the match on the opening day and never quite lost its grip. Winning the toss helped as did the arrival of fresh bowlers but the hosts also displayed unflagging gusto. In Michael Clarke the victors had the batsman of the summer whilst Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle advanced their reputations with whole-hearted showings. Faults can be found in an evolving Australian side but that is a topic for another day.

South Africa went down with every flag flying. Seldom has a loss so closely resembled a triumph. Throughout this campaign this team of many colours has demonstrated an ability to defy the odds. South Africa was supposed to lose heavily in Perth but won by six wickets. Things looked even worse in Melbourne till the tailenders went to work. Now the visitors seemed down for the count for a third time and rallied with such tenacity that the day was almost saved. Smith's side caught superbly in the slips, unleashed some old-fashioned pace with Dale Steyn and fielded some gifted and gritty young batsmen in Jean-Paul Duminy and A.B. de Villiers. They provided stirring competition and superb entertainment.

And so the summer of Test cricket ended on the highest note. After 15 days of intense and fluctuating cricket the South Africans took the spoils and deserve to be recognised as the strongest side around. But the Australians fought back with skill and application to take a valuable win. Roll on February 25 when these teams meet again on African soil.