Australia finally showed a glimpse of their true ability as they hammered South Africa in Round 6 of the World Test Championship. The Aussies knew they needed a win to remain in the tournament and they strolled to a huge victory, beating South Africa by an innings and 243 runs.
Australia won the toss on a green looking wicket at the WACA. They elected to bat first, thinking that the pitch would only get worse as the game progressed. South Africa bowled well on the green surface and Australia were 142-4 when Keith Miller was joined at the crease by Steve Smith. The pair batted slowly but added 129 before Smith was out for 88. Miller went on to score 145 along with Adam Gilchrist who also scored the same. They shared a partnership of 243, helping Australia to a mammoth score of 530 for 7 declared towards the end of day 2.
South Africa had to navigate a difficult 45 minutes and ended day 2 on 20 for 3. Lindwall and Lillee removed Richards, Pollock and de Villiers in a hostile spell of fast bowling. South Africa never recovered and they were all out for 150 the following afternoon. Lillee ended with 6 for 51, while Jacques Kallis hit 50 and captain Graeme Smith 44. Don Bradman enforced the follow on with South Africa still 380 runs behind.
South Africa fared slightly better on the 3rd evening and ended day 3 on 18 for 1. Lillee was back at it again the following morning however and with the help of Lindwall, reduced South Africa to 86 for 4. Shane Warne was the star of Australias bowling in the 2nd innings though. Bowling with guile, he spun and deceived his way to his best figures in the tournament. He took 6 for 19 in 9.1 overs and oversaw South Africas slump to 137 all out. Only skipper Graeme Smith came away with any credit, after scoring 82.
A massive win for Australia and it keeps them alive in the tournament to the final round. They now wait to see the outcome of the India New Zealand game and will then travel to Kandy to play Sri Lanka, where a big win may still help them reach the final.
South Africa have been well beaten but they are still favourites to join Pakistan in the final. They will return home and welcome England to Johannesburg. They know that a win will guarantee them a place in the final, no matter what anyone else does. If they slip up however, then one or more teams may be waiting to take their place.
Australia 1st Innings 530-7 (162 Ov)
KR Miller 145, AC Gilchrist 145, SPD Smith 88, AA Donald 2-62, MJ Procter 2-72
South Africa 1st Innings 150-10 (75.3 Ov)
JH Kallis 50, GC Smith 44, DK Lillee 6-51, RR Lindwall 2-12
South Africa 2nd Innings 137-10 (52.1 Ov)
GC Smith 82, SK Warne 6-19, RR Lindwall 2-29, DK Lillee 2-36
Australia win by an innings and 243 runs
Man of the match: DK Lillee
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