History is written by the victors and this year South Africa have madeso many alterations to the accepted version that the past is nowirrelevant
Brydon Coverdale in Perth21-Dec-2008
The chase was so well calculated that it even allowedde Villiers to reach his century in the dying stages and Duminy tofinish with an invaluable unbeaten 50 on debut © PA Photos
History is written by the victors and this year South Africa have madeso many alterations to the accepted version that the past is nowirrelevant. Their brilliant chase of 414, orchestrated by their twoyoungest batsmen, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, proved again that notarget is out of reach these days and that despite what Australiawanted to believe, South Africa hold no demons from past failures.They are two matches from potentially climbing the biggest mountain inworld cricket. Apparently, 2008 is the international year of the frogand it could well finish with South Africa poised to leap overAustralia and into the top position on the world Test rankings. Wins inthe remaining two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney will get them thereand on the evidence displayed at the WACA, and with Australia to visitSouth Africa in February, it will be only a matter of time.The key difference in this South African side compared to the olderversions is their self-belief. Australia have daunted South Africa somuch over the years that had Mitchell Johnson’s eight-wicket haul comein a previous series the team’s confidence would have been shattered.But the calmness of the captain Graeme Smith and the coach MickeyArthur has rubbed off on this unit and the way they fought back torestrict Australia to 319 in the second innings was the key.”There’s only really one statement that stands out in the game,” Smithsaid. “If we didn’t rock up on the day after Mitchell’s spell and bowlas well as we did, put that statement in place that we’re here andwe’re not going away, then we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”Smith was the hero when his team chased down 281 to win at Edgbaston this year, which gave them their first series victory in England for 43 years. He again made a century in this triumph, the second-highestchase of all time, which he was still struggling to comprehend afterthe match.”We’ve had such an incredible last year and a half,” Smith said.”Victories in the subcontinent, in England, a really big victory atEdgbaston, which was very emotional. But I think the emotions that wefelt through this game, where we were and the way we came back,everyone has contributed so from that perspective it’s got to be agreat Test win for South Africa. It’s got to go up there with my bestwins ever.”Smith was underplaying the significance of the victory slightly. Avisiting South African journalist said the win would rank alongsideany of the nation’s sporting achievements and it’s hard to disagree.The enormity of the chase was one thing but defying the trend betweenthe two sides made it all the more exhilarating. South Africa’s mostrecent two wins against Australia had come in dead rubbers in Durban in 2001-02 and Centurion in 1996-97. Only once since readmission hadthey prevailed in Australia.
The key difference in this South African side compared to the older versions is their self-belief © Getty Images
It was the perfect chase, every bit as impressive as India’s 387 inChennai last week, not the least because it was away from home againstthe world’s top-ranked team. It began with Smith and Hashim Amlabuilding a platform, continued with de Villiers and Jacques Kallis reeling thetarget to within sight and culminated in de Villiers and Duminycompleting the order. It was so well calculated that it even allowedde Villiers to reach his century in the dying stages and Duminy tofinish with an invaluable unbeaten 50 on debut.Both men thoroughly deserved the milestones and it completed theirremarkable journey from the Under-11 tournaments they used to playagainst each other. They have taken different paths to the top, deVilliers being rushed into the side at 20 and being tried in justabout every position over 47 Tests; and Duminy waiting on the fringes andwatching enviously until a thumb injury to Ashwell Prince opened up aspot in this match.When de Villiers was last seen in Australia in 2005-06 he was beingtested as an opener and made a couple of promising half-centuries butwas still learning on the job. He has matured immensely since thenand, much like the string of brilliant catches he took during thematch, he wasn’t about to let this game slip through his hands. Therewas no streakiness and apart from a drive that just cleared mid-on,barely any half-chances.He had come to the crease with 235 runs still required and but thetarget wasn’t weighing on his mind. Small goals were set andpartnerships were built, first with Kallis and then with Duminy. Thecentury took care of itself and he celebrated enthusiastically when itcame, not so much because of his score but because he had helped histeam set up what by then was a certain victory.”It was never really an issue if I get a hundred or not against theAussies,” de Villiers said. “It was just important to get throughtoday. It’s more important to win a Test match over here than get myown hundred. But it’s done and it’s great to have gotten a hundred andwin the Test match in one game. It’s an amazing feeling and it’s adream come true for me.”At 24, the men are younger than all of Australia’s players bar PeterSiddle, who was born in the same year. That it has taken South Africaseveral years to build this side should not be lost on Australia, whoare battling to balance struggling stars with new men still findingtheir feet. Australia have written the script between these sides forso long that it is hard to imagine a new author. Within the nextfortnight, South Africa could write their own names into the historybooks.
