Date:22/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/22/stories/2008122260511900.htm

Sport - Cricket

South Africa surprises Australia

Perth: South Africa pulled off a record-breaking chase on the final day of the first Test against Australia, after A.B. de Villiers’s unbeaten hundred took the visiting side to 414 for the loss of just four wickets here on Sunday.

Jacques Kallis and debutant J.P. Duminy provided invaluable support with half-centuries.

South Africa’s successful chase, the second-highest successful pursuit in history, came through the efforts of skipper Graeme Smith on the fourth day, and de Villiers and Kallis’s 124-run partnership on Sunday.

De Villiers ensured South Africa did not choke as in the past when he put on 111 with Duminy to complete a remarkably comfortable chase.

De Villiers was comfortable with his responsibility and played a largely risk-free innings. Kallis was typically solid in the partnership, finding the gaps and picking ones and twos to frustrate Ricky Ponting and his men. Australia had no answers to de Villiers, who took 186 balls for his 106, which comprised nine boundaries.

South Africa’s win gave the side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second Test will commence on Boxing Day at Melbourne.