Cricket Classics - Part ix : 2012 Adelaide Test: South Africa and Australia

Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,

Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.

So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week.

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What do we know about the Alien of Cricket, AB de Villiers? He is an aggressive, and unorthodox player, our Mr.360. One of the greatest players of our era. He still has the record for the fastest ODI 50, 100, 150. But in 2012 he was different scoring **just 33 runs off 220 balls, along with Paf Du Plessis who was in his debut.

It was the 2nd Test of the 2012/13 3-match South Africa Tour of Australia. At that time, it was the golden era of South Africa, The No. 1 ranked Test team, under the captaincy of Graeme Smith, along with Hashim Amla, Kallis, ABD, Steyn, etc. Anyway, Australia, under Michael Clarke was nothing inferior, hunting to reclaim the top spot.

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It was the second Test at Adelaide Oval, Australia. Australia started the batting after winning the toss. David Warner was aggressive at the start, but three quick wickets fell at the other end. Then in-form Clark came in. He added 155 runs with Warner when he got out for 119 runs. Then Clark and Michael Hussey scored another 272 runs together. Hussy scored a century while scoring his consecutive double-hundred (230), it was his 4th double century in 2012, and still the highest number in a calendar year. The Aussies ended up scoring 550/10 runs.

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Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen started well with a 138-run partnership for the first wicket. But after that, they lose wickets at regular intervals. Smith scored a century and the debutant Faf du Plessis, Kallis, and Alviro contributed with fifties. South Africa responded with 388 runs.

Aussies started the second innings with a lead of 167 runs. Eventhough they lost regular wickets they added another 267/8. They declared the match setting a huge target of 430, with more than 5 sessions remaining.

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Unfortunately, SA lost their top 04 wickets for just 45 runs. Then AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis paired up. It was Paf's debut match and there was a huge task ahead. Anyway, these two showed a completely different mindset, particularly from ABD. They were very defensive, showing incredible restraint. After day 04, the score was 77/4 with a strike rate of just 1.5 per over.

They carried that momentum on day 05 just to save the match. AB played one of the slowest innings of his career, scoring 33 off 220 balls. When he got out the score was 134/5. These two have played 68 overs for just 89 runs. Then Kallis also carried that rhythm. But after his wicket, Paf had to continue the match with tailenders. He was successful. He made an extraordinary knock of 110 off 376 balls; one of the greatest debut innings in Test cricket history.

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At the end of the match, SA was 248/8 in 148 overs at a run rate of just 1.68. The match was drawn showcasing two incredible knocks from De Villiers and Du Plessis. The latter won the Man of the Match award. This match showed how a positive mindset, mental strength, and techniques can withstand, one of the fearsome balling attacks.

See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.

src - Wikipedia
espncricinfo

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Best Regards!