The Wisden Bulletin
by Steven Lynch in Melbourne
Saturday, December 29, 2001

Australia (487 and 10 for 1) beat South Africa 277 and 219 (Kallis 99) by nine wickets, and lead the series 2-0
scorecard

Late on the fourth day, Australia won the second Test by nine wickets, to take the first leg of the ICC Test Championship decider series. The return rubber in South Africa early next year will decide the destination of the new trophy, but few would bet against this powerful Australian side pulling off the double.

Before that the shattered South Africans have to regroup at Sydney on January 2. After today's events Australia are hot favourites for a 3-0 clean sweep in this series.

South Africa inched into the lead after tea, but they could set only a nominal target of 10, which Australia knocked off for the loss of Justin Langer, who cut Shaun Pollock uppishly to Claude Henderson at point (7 for 1).

Fittingly, it was left to Matthew Hayden, the Man of the Match, to thump the winning run back past Allan Donald, to bring down the curtain on another awesome Aussie display, the highlight of which was Hayden's muscular 138.

The only serious resistance, for the second Test running, came from Jacques Kallis. Four years ago he made his first Test century at the MCG, and as an Australian victory became inevitable all that remained was to see whether he could make it to another one. He got within a couple of yards of doing so. On 98 he cut Andy Bichel away towards the boundary. Trying to protect last man Nantie Hayward, Kallis sprinted back for a second – but couldn't beat Damien Martyn's accurate return to Adam Gilchrist. Even the hard-bitten Aussies could scarce forebear to cheer as Kallis trudged off.

The rest of the innings was a procession once the openers failed again. First Gary Kirsten drove at a widish one from Lee, and edged it head-high to third slip, where Ricky Ponting made another screamer look easy (24 for 1). Then Herschelle Gibbs inside-edged another Lee exocet low to Gilchrist (37 for 2).

Kallis, usually a slow starter, stirred himself to crack Warne's loosener, an uncharacteristic full-toss, straight for four. Later, when Warne pulled down his flipper a little too short, Kallis hammered that through the covers for four more. But he did survive one confident caught-behind appeal from Warne. This time Eddie Nicholls, who gave Kallis out in the first innings when he appeared not to touch the ball, kept his finger firmly anchored in his pocket.

Boeta Dippenaar was digging in before he again fell victim to an astonishing catch. Spectacularly snared in the gully by Ponting at Adelaide and Hayden in the first innings here, Dippenaar grimly tried to avoid giving another blinding catch in that area … and gave a blinding catch to short leg instead. He clipped Warne firmly off his legs, only for Hayden to clutch the blur to his midriff (74 for 3).

Neil McKenzie fell to Warne's first ball after lunch. A well-flighted legbreak flicked McKenzie's edge, and Gilchrist completed the catch (107 for 4).

Seven overs later McGrath straightened one to Lance Klusener, who was trapped in front as it kept low (120 for 5). He trudged off, wondering whether the ball had pitched in line – he was trying to work it to leg. At least Klusener (7) had avoided the indignity of another pair.

In danced Warne for the next over, and bamboozled Mark Boucher with his first ball to him. Down went a perfect legspinner, and Boucher edged a drive to Mark Waugh at slip (121 for 6).

Kallis still stood alone on the sunburning deck. He reached a patient half-century with a cut for four off Warne, and generally looked untroubled. Pollock kept him company for a while, surviving a rare dropped catch by Ponting at slip. But on the stroke of tea Pollock was slow responding to Kallis's call for a quick single, and was run out by Martyn's direct-hit from cover (157 for 7).

Henderson defended well, seeing off testing spells from Lee and Warne. Back came McGrath, and his first ball to Henderson drew him forward into the drive – but it curved away, and the edge flew straight to Mark Waugh at second slip (192 for 8).

Donald survived longer than usual, helped by McGrath and Bichel trying to hit him rather than the stumps, and by the diving Lee's inability to hold on to a spooned chance at mid-on. Eventually, after Steve Waugh suggested he pitch the ball up more, Bichel yorked Donald (215 for 9). Shortly afterwards, Kallis's unfortunate run-out wrapped up the innings.

The day had started badly for Steve Waugh – he was docked 50% of his match fee, for lingering after his run-out yesterday. He'll prefer to remember this game for his inspirational last-minute decision to field first when he won the toss. The hunch certainly paid off. In the end, on a boiling hot day in Melbourne, South Africa were roasted.

5.30pm South Africa 219 all out (Kallis 99) – Australia need 10 to win

South Africa inched into the lead on the fourth evening at Melbourne, but managed to set Australia a target of only 10 runs to win the second Test with a day to spare, and take the series 2-0.

Allan Donald survived longer than usual, helped by Glenn McGrath and Andy Bichel trying to hit his head rather than his stumps. Eventually, after Steve Waugh suggested he pitch the ball up more, Andy Bichel yorked Donald (215 for 9).

All that remained was to see whether Jacques Kallis could make it to a century to go with the one he made at the MCG four years ago. He got within a couple of yards of it. On 98, he cut Andy Bichel away towards the boundary. Trying to protect Nantie Hayward, Kallis sprinted back – but couldn't beat Damien Martyn's accurate return to Adam Gilchrist. Even the hard-bitten Aussies applauded as Kallis trudged off.

5pm South Africa 199 for 8 (Kallis 84*, Donald 2*) are 11 runs behind Australia

Glenn McGrath struck in his first over after tea to take Australia even closer to the victory which will give them the series against South Africa.

Jacques Kallis and Claude Henderson had batted calmly through the first 11 overs after the interval. Perhaps Kallis had eyeballed the clouds gathering over Melbourne, and thought a draw was still a possibility.

But after Brett Lee and Shane Warne had tried hard but failed to break through, on came McGrath. His first ball to Henderson, who had been batting sensibly, drew him forward into the drive – but it curved away, and the edge flew straight to Mark Waugh at second slip (192 for 8).

New batsman Allan Donald almost popped up a catch off Andy Bichel, but Lee at mid-on just failed to hold on as he slid into a dive.

Lone gunman Kallis surveyed the scene. He creamed a lovely cover-drive off Warne, and earlier thumped a short one through midwicket. His century, and avoiding the innings defeat, are the limit of South Africa's ambitions now.

Tea South Africa 158 for 7 (Kallis 61*, Henderson 0*) are 52 runs behind Australia

Australia rammed home their advantage on the fourth afternoon of the second match of the Test Championship decider. The old firm of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne started the rot, sharing three of the four vital wickets that went down after lunch.

Barring a miracle Australia will complete a comfortable series-clinching victory after tea, with a day to spare. On a boiling-hot afternoon at Melbourne, South Africa are being roasted.

Jacques Kallis and Neil McKenzie saw off the initial post-lunch burst from McGrath and Brett Lee, but Warne's well-flighted first ball of a new spell flicked McKenzie's edge, and Adam Gilchrist completed the catch (107 for 4).

Seven overs later McGrath straightened one up to Lance Klusener, who was trapped in front as it kept low (120 for 5). Klusener trudged off, not convinced that the ball would have hit the stumps – he was trying to work it to leg. At least Klusener, who made 7, had avoided the indignity of another pair.

In danced Warne for the next over, and dismissed Mark Boucher with his first ball to him. Down went a perfect legspinner, and Boucher edged a drive to Mark Waugh at slip (121 for 6).

As at Adelaide, Kallis stood alone on the sunburning deck. He reached a patient half-century with a cut for four off Warne, and generally looked untroubled. The problems were all at the other end, although Shaun Pollock kept him company almost until tea. Then Pollock, who had earlier been dropped by a leaping Ricky Ponting at slip, was slow responding to Kallis's call for a quick single, and was run out by Damien Martyn's direct-hit from cover (157 for 7).

The day had started so well for South Africa, too. They chopped off the Australian innings without addition. With the last ball of the first over, Pollock thudded one into McGrath's pads right in front (487 all out).

But the South Africans were soon facing problems of their own. Gary Kirsten drove at a widish one from Lee, and edged it head-high to third slip, where Ponting made another screamer look easy (24 for 1).

Then Herschelle Gibbs inside-edged another Lee exocet low to the wicketkeeper (37 for 2). Gibbs had lived dangerously, thick-edging McGrath through the slips for two of his four boundaries, He hung around for the umpire's decision, but had to go when Eddie Nicholls raised the finger.

Kallis, always a slow starter, stirred himself to crack Warne's loosener, an uncharacteristic full-toss, straight for four. Later, when Warne pulled down his flipper a little too short, Kallis hammered that through the covers for four more. But he did survive one confident caught-behind appeal from Warne. This time Nicholls, who had given Kallis out in the first innings when he appeared not to touch the ball, kept his finger firmly anchored in his pocket.

Kallis and Boeta Dippenaar were digging in when the unfortunate Dippenaar once again fell victim to an astonishing catch. Spectacularly snared in the gully by Ricky Ponting at Adelaide and Matthew Hayden in the first innings here, Dippenaar tried grimly to avoid giving another blinding catch in that area … and ended up giving a blinding catch to short leg instead. He clipped Warne firmly off his legs, only for Hayden to clutch the blur to his midriff (74 for 3).

An Australian victory after tea would complete a mixed day for Steve Waugh. He has been fined 50% of his match fee, and reminded of his responsibilities as a senior Test captain, for lingering after his run-out yesterday. He did tarry at the crease, but then he had a better view of the stump-breaking than Darrell Hair did, and must have expected the umpire to call for the video replay. And he did march off once he realised he had been given out. If he was guilty of anything it might have been dumb insolence – a reluctance to meet the eyes of the umpire who had raised the finger. That certainly didn't warrant a suspension, so a fine is probably about right.

3pm South Africa 121 for 6 (Kallis 46*, Pollock 0*) are 89 runs behind Australia

Two quick wickets went down straight after the mid-session drinks interval on the fourth afternoon at the MCG, and South Africa seemed to be sliding quietly to defeat.

With the fifth ball of the first over after the resumption, Glenn McGrath straightened one up to Lance Klusener, who was trapped in front as it kept low (120 for 5). Klusener trudged off, not convinced that the ball would have hit the stumps – he was trying to work it to leg. At least Klusener, who made 7, had avoided the indignity of another pair.

Shane Warne danced in for the next over, and dismissed Mark Boucher with his first ball to him. Down went a perfect legspinner, and Boucher edged it to Mark Waugh at slip (121 for 6).

In came Shaun Pollock, South Africa's captain. On a broiling afternoon, he and Jacques Kallis will have to play very well to avoid a roasting.

2.15pm South Africa 108 for 4 (Kallis 39*, Klusener 1*) are 102 runs behind Australia

That old Shane Warne magic worked wonders shortly after lunch on the fourth day at Melbourne. Warne's well-flighted first ball of a new spell found the edge of Neil McKenzie's bat, and Adam Gilchrist completed the catch (107 for 4).

This brought in Lance Klusener, after three consecutive ducks. He avoided his king pair by prodding Warne away, and nervously managed to prod a run to square leg from the last ball of the over.

Jacques Kallis could only look on at the other end. He and McKenzie had seen off the after-lunch bursts from Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, only for that man Warne to do it again.

Lunch South Africa 97 for 3 (Kallis 36*, McKenzie 5*) are 113 runs behind Australia

Australia strengthened their grip on the fourth morning of the second match of the Test Championship decider series. As the sun beat down at Melbourne the Aussies claimed three important wickets as South Africa struggled to reduce their first-innings arrears of 210.

After the early departure of the openers, Jacques Kallis and Boeta Dippenaar were digging in when the unfortunate Dippenaar once again fell victim to an astonishing catch. Spectacularly caught in the gully by Ricky Ponting at Adelaide and Matthew Hayden in the first innings here, Dippenaar tried grimly to avoid giving another blinding catch in that area … and ended up giving a blinding catch to short leg instead. He clipped Shane Warne firmly off his legs, only for Hayden to clutch the blur to his midriff (74 for 3).

Earlier South Africa had made the ideal start to the day, chopping off the Australian innings without addition. With the last ball of the first over, Shaun Pollock thudded one into Glenn McGrath's pads right in front (487 all out).

But South Africa were soon facing problems of their own. Brett Lee made the first breakthrough in the sixth over. Gary Kirsten drove at a widish one, and edged it head-high to third slip, where Ricky Ponting made another difficult catch look easy (24 for 1).

Shortly afterwards Herschelle Gibbs edged another Lee exocet low to the wicketkeeper (37 for 2). Gibbs had lived dangerously, thick-edging Glenn McGrath through the slips for two of his four boundaries, He hung around for the umpire's decision, but had to go when Eddie Nicholls raised the finger.

Kallis, always a slow starter, stirred himself to crack Shane Warne's loosener, an uncharacteristic full-toss, straight for four. Later, when Warne pulled down his flipper a little too short, Kallis hammered that through the covers for four more. But just before Dippenaar's dismissal Kallis survived a confident caught-behind appeal from Warne. This time Nicholls, who had given Kallis out in the first innings when he appeared not to touch the ball, kept his finger firmly anchored in his pocket.

Kallis has been joined by Neil McKenzie, the first-innings top-scorer. They represent South Africa's last realistic chance of making a game of it. A quick breakthrough for Australia this afternoon could mean a four-day finish and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Whatever happens it will be a reflective day for Steve Waugh. He has been fined 50% of his match fee, and reminded of his responsibilities as a senior Test captain, for lingering after his run-out yesterday. He did tarry at the crease, but then he had a better view of the stump-breaking than Darrell Hair did, and must have expected the umpire to call for the video replay. And he did march off once he realised he had been given out. If he was guilty of anything it might have been dumb insolence – a reluctance to meet the eyes of the umpire who had raised the finger. That certainly didn't warrant a suspension, so a fine is probably about right.

12.35pm South Africa 74 for 3 (Kallis 18*, McKenzie 0*) are 136 runs behind Australia

Boeta Dippenaar was determined to avoid giving another blinding catch in the gully area … and ended up giving a blinding catch to short leg instead.

Facing Shane Warne, he clipped the ball firmly off his legs, only for Matthew Hayden to pull off a stunning grab under the helmet. It was the third classic catch in four innings for poor Dippenaar, who'd missed two chances to make amends at short leg himself yesterday.

Jacques Kallis, who survived a confident caught-behind appeal in Warne's previous over – this time Eddie Nicholls kept his finger firmly anchored in his pocket – has been joined by Neil McKenzie, the first-innings top-scorer. They represent South Africa's last realistic chance of making a game of it.

12.20pm South Africa 71 for 2 (Dippenaar 20*, Kallis 18*) are 139 runs behind Australia

Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques Kallis, South Africa's third-wicket pair, dug in on the fourth morning at Melbourne to repair the damage caused by Brett Lee's two early exocet strikes. Gary Kirsten (caught at third slip) and Herschelle Gibbs (caught behind) both succumbed to flashy shots early on.

Kallis, always a slow starter, stirred himself to crack Shane Warne's loosener, an uncharacteristic full-toss, straight for four. Later, when Warne pulled down his flipper a little too short, Kallis hammered that through the covers for four more.

Meanwhile Dippenaar was settling in as well, and cut Lee to the boundary in the last over of his damaging opening burst. Later he cracked Andy Bichel with a perfect drive through extra cover. But generally Dippenaar, desperate to avoid the glorious gully catches which accounted for him at Adelaide and in the first innings here, reined in his attacking instincts as he and Kallis survived to the mid-morning drinks interval and beyond.

11.30am South Africa 37 for 2 (Dippenaar 6*, Kallis 0*) are 173 runs behind Australia

South Africa suffered another mortal blow early on the fourth morning at Melbourne, when Herschelle Gibbs edged Brett Lee to the wicketkeeper after an adventurous 21 (37 for 2). It was a second wicket for Lee, who had already removed Gary Kirsten for 10.

Gibbs had lived dangerously, thick-edging Glenn McGrath through the slips for two of his four boundaries, He hung around for the umpire's decision, but had to go when Eddie Nicholls raised the finger.

The new batsman is Jacques Kallis, currently the leading batsman in a side looking increasingly overawed by Australia's belligerence. If Kallis departs quickly the prospects of a fifth day will recede as fast as Lee's lightning opening spell.

11.15am South Africa 30 for 1 (Gibbs 14*, Dippenaar 6*) are 186 runs behind Australia

Brett Lee made the first breakthrough in the sixth over of South Africa's innings on the fourth morning at Melbourne.

Gary Kirsten drove at a widish ball from Lee, and edged it head-high to third slip, where Ricky Ponting made another difficult catch look easy (24 for 1).

At the other end Herschelle Gibbs had started attackingly, taking two fours from Glenn McGrath's first over, one steered through slips and the other cut convincingly past point. Another four, in McGrath's third over, was less convincingly thick-edged through the slips.

It looks like being a long hot day for South Africa. The deficit has dipped below 200, but with a ring of close fielders and the bowlers charging in, safety must seem a long way away.

10.33am Australia 487 all out (Langer 85, Hayden 138, S Waugh 90, Donald 3-103, Pollock 3-84) are 210 runs ahead of South Africa

It didn't take long for South Africa to polish off the Australian innings on the fourth morning at Melbourne. With the last ball of the first over, Shaun Pollock thudded one into Glenn McGrath's pads, and up went the umpire's finger.

Australia hadn't added to their overnight total of 487, so South Africa start their second innings, in bright sunshine, 210 runs behind. A good start will be essential if they are to save the match and keep the series alive.

10.30am Australia 487 for 9 (Gilchrist 30*, McGrath 0*) are 210 runs ahead of South Africa

Another sunny day in Melbourne, and play will start on time on the fourth day of the second match of the Test Championship decider. It will be an important day for South Africa – they will soon have to bat, facing a huge deficit.

The pitch is still a belter, and it will be important for the openers to give South Africa the good start they didn't manage in the second innings at Adelaide. A couple of quick breaks and this confident Australian side will be off and running.

Quite apart from the play it will be a reflective day for Steve Waugh. He has been docked 50% of his match fee, after lingering after his run-out yesterday. He did tarry at the crease, but then he had a better view of the stump-breaking than Darrell Hair did, and must have expected the umpire to call for the video replay. And he did seem to march off once he realised he had been given out. If he was guilty of anything it might have been dumb insolence – a reluctance to meet the eyes of the umpire who had raised the finger. That certainly didn't warrant a suspension, and a fine was probably right.

Teams
Australia 1 Justin Langer, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Mark Waugh, 5 Steve Waugh (capt), 6 Damien Martyn, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Andy Bichel, 11 Glenn McGrath.

South Africa 1 Gary Kirsten, 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Boeta Dippenaar, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Neil McKenzie, 6 Lance Klusener, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Claude Henderson, 10 Allan Donald, 11 Nantie Hayward.

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