Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2008–09
| Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2008–09 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
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| South Africa | Australia | ||
| Dates | 20 February 2009 – 17 April 2009 | ||
| Captains | Graeme Smith | Ricky Ponting | |
| Test series | |||
| Result | Australia won the 3-match series 2–1 | ||
| Most runs | AB de Villiers (357) | Phillip Hughes (415) | |
| Most wickets | Dale Steyn (16) | Mitchell Johnson (16) | |
| Player of the series | Mitchell Johnson | ||
| One Day International series | |||
| Results | South Africa won the 5-match series 3–2 | ||
| Most runs | Herschelle Gibbs (253) | Brad Haddin (209) | |
| Most wickets | Dale Steyn (10) | Mitchell Johnson (13) | |
| Player of the series | AB de Villiers (SA) | ||
| Twenty20 International series | |||
| Results | South Africa won the 2-match series 2–0 | ||
| Most runs | Albie Morkel (51) | David Hussey (115) | |
| Most wickets | Robin Peterson (3) | David Hussey (2) | |
| Player of the series | David Hussey (Aus) | ||
The Australia cricket team toured South Africa from 20 February to 17 April 2009, playing three Test matches, two Twenty20 Internationals and five One Day Internationals against South Africa.
Tasmanian Brett Geeves was called up to the Australian squad during the First Test after Doug Bollinger suffered an abdominal-muscle strain while training in the nets. After the First Test of the series, Western Australian fast bowler Steve Magoffin, was flown to join the touring squad as cover for Hilfenhaus and Siddle who were in doubt for the Second Test.
South Africa called up Albie Morkel to replace Lonwabo Tsotsobe who injured his right knee in training during the First Test. With Smith injured, South Africa called up Ashwell Prince and Imraan Khan, and dropped Neil McKenzie and Morné Morkel.
Selections: Australia picked three debutants for this Test (Phillip Hughes, Marcus North and Ben Hilfenhaus) making it the first such time since December 1985 when Geoff Marsh, Merv Hughes and Bruce Reid started their Test careers against India in Adelaide.Doug Bollinger was relegated to twelfth man.
Day One: The conditions provided seam and swing for the bowlers and South Africa took full advantage early to have Australia struggling at 38/3. Ponting (83) and Clarke (68) put on 113 for the fourth wicket before Ponting was bowled by a massive in-swinger from Ntini. After Clarke fell with the score on 182, North (47*) and Haddin (37*) took the score to 254/5 from 68 overs, when bad light, and then rain, stopped play for the day.
Dale Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with 3/82 from 19 overs, being both dangerous and economical early.
Day Two: Haddin and North added 113 for the 5th wicket before the wicket-keeper was caught on 63. Marcus North (117) then continued on to make a century on debut (becoming the 18th Australian to do so, and the first against South Africa.) North and Mitchell Johnson (96*) put on 117 for the 7th wicket (a new record partnership for that wicket against South Africa). Mitchell Johnson later hit 26 from one over from Harris (an Australian Test record) before being stranded on 96 not out when Siddle and Hilfenhaus were dismissed off consecutive deliveries. Australia finished all out for 466.
Steyn 4/113 and Morkel 3/117 were the pick of the bowlers.
South Africa's response did not start well when Smith (0) and Alma (1) were dismissed with only 2 on the board. They finished the day at 85/3, with McKenzie 35* and de Villiers 13*.
Day Three: AB de Villiers (104*) and McKenzie (36) were the only batsmen to pass 30 as South Africa were dismissed for 220.
All the Australian bowlers used took a wicket with Mitchell 4/25 and Siddle 3/76 the best.
The day ended early due to bad light with Australia 51/1 at the close; Hughes 36* and Ponting 1*.
Morné Morkel took the only wicket.
Day Four: From 99/1 Australia lost 4 wickets for 5 runs and were dismissed for 207. Hughes with 75 was the only batsman to pass 50. This gave Australia a lead of 453 with a day and almost 2 sessions to play.
For South Africa, Kallis and Ntini both took 3 wickets.
South Africa in reply started solidly reaching 178/2 from 55 overs at the close. Smith top-scored with 69.
Johnson and Hilfenhaus took a wicket each.
Day Five: South Africa progressed steadily to 206/2 when Amla was dismissed for 57. Wickets then fell steadily with the home team losing 8/85 to be all out for 291 just after tea. Johnson took 4/112, Siddle 3/46, Hilfenhaus 2/68 and McDonald 1/31.
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