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A.B. de Villiers steers his team home to a record breaking victory.
South Africa has secured a 1-0 advantage over the world champions in the first Test at the WACA. Centuries to Graeme Smith and A.B. de Villiers have guided the Proteas home in what is the second highest run chase in history.
With Australia posting a 414 run target, the tourists set out to accomplish what was said to be impossible.
With great poise and patience the South Africans knew they had a chance if they were able to hold their nerve and bat sensibly. After all, they had a day and a half to reach the total.
Mitchell Johnson continued his form that gave him 8 wickets in the first innings with a peach that caught the edge of Neil McKenzie's bat.
It looked as though Australia were going to lead the proceedings as Johnson and Lee bowled aggressively but the Proteas had different ideas as Smith and Hashim Amla set up camp at the crease.
It wasn't until Amla reached 53 that Lee collected his first wicket of the match and soon after Johnson his tenth with a slower delivery picking up Smith(108) LBW.
That brought Jacques Kallis and A.B. de Villiers to the middle and Australia were once again looking to gain the advantage.
In true style Kallis frustrated the home side while de Villiers looked to be on top of his game. The two put on 124 before Johnson struck again taking the wicket of Kallis caught by a sharp Hussey grab.
The job was still not done for the tourists and de Villiers' would not let the Aussies get the upper hand. He and new partner, Jean-Paul Duminy would hit the winning runs with De Villiers(106*) bringing up his 7th Test century and Duminy his 50* on debut.
Johnson was outstanding with the ball but lacked support from the other bowlers. His 11 wickets gave Australia a chance but Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden are the men who have to stand up if Australia are going to win the Boxing Day Test.
All in all, a great summer is sure to continue.
Adam Bailey
Boofhead Sports
Whispers surrounding Hayden's retirement are circling.
It hasn't been since Steve Waugh's 'Perfect Day' that the Australian public has wanted a man to keep his spot in the world's number one team.
Matthew Hayden is in a rough patch at the moment but everyone is still hoping the big unit can muster some runs in this South African series to ensure his ticket to a farewell Ashes tour.
Queensland’s favourite son has been a run scoring machine throughout his career and his ability to demolish an opposing attack cannot disappear overnight.
Hayden, who enjoys being called 'The Unit' has almost 9000 Test runs and his quality slip fielding was no more evident than in the recent tour of India.
In most situations the media play a major role in pushing players out of selection.
Maybe Hayden's most astonishing compliment is that all news headlines are hoping that he is able to leave a form slump behind him and score runs in the upcoming Boxing Day Test.
The quickness to jump on Test umpire Aleem Dar regarding Hayden's woeful decision yesterday was evidence of this as we all try and forget that Haydos is averaging just 9.6 runs this summer.
Former Australian opener and best friend of Hayden, Justin Langer, believes that the Queenslander's mental toughness has been the reason for his success and will be key in his return to form.
Langer, one of Australia's toughest and most determined batsman retired last summer but feels that his best friend still has what it takes to play at the highest level.
The two walked to the crease 113 times together providing an average opening partnership of 51.88, hitting 5655 runs collectively.
As retirement whispers filter through, all Australian's hope that Hayden is able to find the middle of the bat and a correct umpire's decision in the near future.
Runs or not, it is clear where he sits in the public eye. Not only will he go down as one of the best and most intimidating opening batsman ever, but as one of Australia's cricketing good guys.
Andrew Symonds fired for the Aussies in the first Test
After losing three early wickets the Australian's have fought back to hold a slight advantage over the South African's at the conclusion of the first days play. On a hard Perth wicket, both teams had their fair share of up's and down's with the momentum swinging from one team to another.
Ricky Ponting finally had the coin roll his way and decided that his team would be first to swing the willow.
It did not look like a great decision when Ntini picked up the wickets of Hayden (12) and Ponting(0) in consecutive deliveries.
Nor did it please the Australian captain when Hussey was dismissed by South African speed man Steyn for a duck. 1st round to the tourists.
The hosts were 3/15 when future Australian captain Michael Clarke joined Simon Katich at the crease.
The two were able to muster a 149 run partnership to get the Aussies back on track. Katich was churning the runs out like he has all year while Clarke was battling to construct his innings.
Both batsmen deserved to make centuries but fell in quick succession; Katich for 83 and Clarke for 62.
At this stage the honours were even and the only disappointing factor was that one of Australian's had not kicked on to reach three figures.
Andrew Symonds walked out to the middle and soon shook off both his nerves and his critics. In true form, Roy hit a quick fire 57 and looked the goods.
But just as Australia looked as though they were gaining the upper hand, the Proteas hit back with the wickets of Symonds and Hadden (46).
At the end of the day the Aussies are 9/341 with the tale wagging a little to boost the total. It is not the desired amount but at least it gives the Aussie bowlers the chance to attack the tourists.
If the South Africans are able to build upon their starts to an innings then they should gain the upper hand in this Test.
World number 1 Rafael Nadal will have to battle against the best in the world in Shanghai
There are three spots remaining in the exclusive Masters Cup tournament to be held in Shanghai. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Nikolay Davydenko have already secured there spots for the tournament starting on November 9.
The big question is...who will fill the final three spots? All this will be answered in the tournament starting this week in Paris. Andy Roddick currently sitting in 6th place would be feeling confident that he will qualify for his 6th straight season ending event. This goes to show how consistent the A-Rod has been over the years. It is just a shame he hasn't won more Grand Slams in his career with only 1 US open title to his name
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Paul Wellens of England is hit hard by the Kumuls George Moni.
England have secured their first win against a defiant Papua New Guinea in the opening game of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. After being down at half time, the Lion’s fought back to take a 32-22 victory.
England were heavy favourites going in to the contest but the first 40 minutes was filled with Kumul courage and brilliance
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Welcome to Ronal-Deano’s EPL wrap. This is my first effort at summing up all that the weekend had to offer. With what I hope will become a weekly report, delivering all the scores, stats, news and gossip, I hope you enjoy the read.
This Weekends Fixtures Were
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni captains his way to an emphatic Indian victory in the 2nd Test at Mohali
India have secured a 1 - 0 lead in the Test series against Australia after handing the visitors their biggest defeat in nearly 10 years. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men outclassed the Aussies in every facet and were rewarded with a 320 run victory.
After the Indians had hit over 300 on the first day it always seemed as though it was a bad toss for Ricky Ponting and the Australians to lose
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Cameron White took his first Test wicket on day 5 of the first Test in India
India have fought hard to save the first Test in Bangalore. After Australia set a target of 299, India decided to play for a draw and deny the visitors the chance to go one up in the series.
The Australians declared after 5 overs and 35 runs early in the first session, giving them most of the day to try and take 10 Indian wickets
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Brad Haddin and Shane Watson put Aussies back on track
The last session of play has once again provided a game defining moment. With the game in the balance, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin have placed the favour back with the Australians producing a 65 run partnership late on day four.
India started the day at 8/313 and added 47 runs before they were dismissed for 360
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Harbhajan Singh proves to be a thorn in the Australian's side.
Harbhajan Singh has erupted for 54 runs after the Indian's looked to be down for the count. His 80 run partnership with Zaheer Kahn guided India past the follow-on and given the hosts a chance at a sneaky victory.
The Indians began day three at 0/68 but it wasn't long before the Australian's took the upper hand
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Comment by Adam Bailey
on Hayden Still a Favourite
Boofhead Sports
Sean Marsh.....Phil Hughes will play more Test cricket!