Decades Tournament - Inter-war South Africa v Inter-war Australia

 

South Africa's inter-war cricketers advanced to the knock out stage of the Decades Tournament with an impressive innings victory over their Australian counterparts at The Wanderers. Their success was built on a bowling attack of variety and no little skill. 

Both Australian openers were removed inside 20 minutes by the devastatingly quick George Bissett, man of the match, with match figures of 8-65. He was complimented by the all rounder Denys Morkel who bowled well in taking 4-51 on a nice batting track as Australia's 1st innings ended after 74 overs, 198 all out. Bradman was at the crease the 5th ball of the match and hit a flawless, unbeaten 111 off 217 balls. 

Day 2 was one of consolidation for South Africa's batsmen and they were satisfied to close a showery day on 249-3. Australian bowlers toiled on day 3 as 'Dave' Nourse (88) and Ken Viljoen compiled a 4th wicket partnership of 186. Viljoen's marathon 636 minute knock of 174 no was the bed rock of South Africa's 500-7 declared.

Australia made another disastrous start to their innings when Woodfull was yorked 1st ball by Bissett. Days 4 and 5 were blighted by rain and 90 minutes play were lost to a thunderstorm on the 5th morning. In humid conditions there was prodigious swing and the pitch was showing signs of uneven bounce. Australia slumped from 175-2 to 234-6 at tea. Decisively, 'Tuppy' Owen-Smith removed Gregory and Oldfield in the same over with his leg breaks. Ponsford's patient 133 could not delay the inevitable, and at 5.13pm Bissett had Wall caught behind to seal a deserved victory.

Australia won the toss

South Africa: B Mitchell, HW Taylor, EAB Rowan, AW Nourse, KG Viljoen, HB Cameron (w) (c), HG Owen-Smith, DPB Morkel, JM Blanckenberg, GF Bissett, RJ Crisp

Australia: WM Woodfull, WA Ponsford, DG Bradman (c), CG Macartney, SJ McCabe, JM Gregory, WA Oldfield (w), WA O'Reilly, TW Wall, CV Grimmett, EA McDonald

Australia 1st Innings 198-10 (74 Ov)

DG Bradman 111*, SJ McCabe, DPB Morkel 4-51, GF Bissett 3-26

South Africa 1st Innings 500-7 (199 Ov)

KG Viljoen 174*, AW Nourse 88, HB Cameron 64, WA O'Reilly 3-9, CG Macartney 2-54

Australia 2nd Innings 264-10 (124.3 Ov)

WA Ponsford 133, CG Macartney 53, DG Bradman 28, GF Bissett 5-39, HG Owen-Smith 3-44, DPB Morkel 2-38

South Africa won by an Innings and 38 runs

George Bissetts pace made life very difficult for the Australian batsmen, on a pitch that saw almost 1000 runs made.  His 5 for 39 in the 2nd innings earned South Africa an unexpected place in the next phase of the tournament.