Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla lead Proteas to incredible victory

CAPTAIN Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla blasted centuries to send South Africa racing to a crazy eight-wicket win over an embarrassed Australia in the first cricket Test in Cape Town yesterday.

South Africa won inside two-and-a-half days at Newlands after trailing by a hefty 188 runs in the first innings, completing a staggering turnaround in an amazing match to lead the two-Test series. Smith made 101 not out and Amla 112 as South Africa hurried to their victory target of 236 for just two wickets before lunch on day three. The pair shared a dominating 195-run partnership.

This after Australia were skittled for 47 in a game-changing collapse in its second innings on Thursday, its lowest score since the 19th century. After that chaotic second day, when 23 wickets fell and the game swung wildly in the space of four frantic hours in the afternoon, Smith and Amla restored sanity. “It’s quite incredible. Yesterday was a bit of a mind boggle for all of us,” Smith said. “I think it’s probably a win I have to give to the bowlers, the way they fought back after a bad batting display. Hopefully the next match is less stressful.”

Australia captain Michael Clarke said: “It’s cricket, there’s plenty of tough times throughout your career and I guarantee this is one tough time for our team.”

The second Test starts next Thursday in Johannesburg.