It took 148 overs, four-and-a-half sessions and almost 10 hours of batting but South Africa were able to survive an Aussie barrage led by the lion-hearted Peter Siddle.
Faf Du Plesis came in yesterday when South Africa were 4/45 in the 21st over late on day four. He batted for a day-and-a-half to post one of the greatest hundreds by a debutant to guide South Africa to a famous draw.
Australia started the day just six wickets away from the number one ranking. But in standing in their way was Plesis and AB De Villiers. The pair survived until lunch for a very slow 89 run partnership from 408 balls which began late on day four.
Shortly after lunch Siddle finally broke the partnership and bowled De Villiers for 33 off 220, which included no boundaries.
That brought a hamstrung Jacques Kallis to the pitch and for the second time in the match he was able to battle through his injury and produce a patient 46 off 110 balls in a 99 run partnership with Du Plesis.
But when Nathan Lyon produced a delivery that spun and bounced, catching the inside edge of Kallis’ bat and going onto the pad, it gave an easy catch to Ed Cowan at short leg.
At that stage South Africa were 6/233. With only the bowlers to come and 70 minutes to go in the day, victory was likely for Australia.
Then came Dale Steyn who stayed at the crease with Du Plesis for 28 balls until Siddle claimed his wicket, a catch to Rob Quiney.
Two overs later, when he looked like he was about break down due to exhaustion, he produced a brilliant reverse-swinging delivery to dismiss Rory Kleinveldt for three.
With 12 minutes to go, Australia only needed two wickets to claim a famous victory. But both Du Plesis and Morkel were able to survive the final two overs to salvage a memorable draw.
It’s a shattering result for Michael Clarke and his men given the way they’d set the match-up with a record-breaking first day and second innings target. Du Plesis was rightfully named man-of-the-match after his 376 ball century.
The third and final Test starts this Friday. If Australia win, they will reclaim the no.1 ranking for the first time since 2009. If South Africa win or draw the test, they remain the no.1 team.
The Adelaide Test has seen some classics in recent times.
In 2003, India claimed a miraculous six wicket victory after Australia scored 566 in their first innings, with 242 from Ponting.
In 2009, Australia were able to survive a West Indian barrage from a young and fast speedstar Kemar Roach late on day five.
And of course Australia’s victory over England in the 2006/2007 Ashes at Adelaide, which has gone down as one of the great Test matches in recent times.
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