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21-Nov-2011 16:38:00 GMT
South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Johannesburg, 5th day

Australia Hold Nerve to Win Thriller Level Series

Johannesburg: Tailenders Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins dragged Australia to a gutsy series-saving win in a sparkling 2nd Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday.

Australia chased down a target of 310 to share the series. Cummins, who took six for 79 in South Africa's second innings, was named man of the match.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (55) and left-handed fast bowler Mitchell Johnson (40 not out) were mainly responsible for their team reaching the target, putting on 72 for the seventh wicket after all Australia's specialist batsmen had been dismissed with 95 still needed.

South African opening bowler Vernon Philander claimed his second five-wicket haul in his second Test to keep South Africa in with a chance of winning but did not get enough support from his more experienced teammates. Philander took five for 70.

Philander bowled Australian Michael Clarke in the fourth over of the day after only three runs had been added to the overnight 142 for three.

Australia suffered a major blow 20 runs later when Ricky Ponting was caught at second slip off Morne Morkel for 62, having added only eight runs off 34 balls as the bowlers took advantage of helpful overcast conditions.

But Mike Hussey and Haddin put together a watchful sixth wicket partnership of 50 and with the sun starting to beat down on the ground the odds seemed to be swinging slightly in favour of Australia.

At tea, Australia were 88 runs short of victory, with only seven overs left before the second new ball was due. Haddin and Johnson played a flurry of attacking strokes to add 54 runs in those overs.

The partnership was worth 72 when Haddin edged Philander to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher in the third over with the new ball.

Peter Siddle chipped a catch to midwicket off Steyn in the next over and Cummins walked out with 18 still needed.

Brief scores
South Africa 266 (de Villiers 64, Kallis 54, Prince 50, Siddle 3-69) & 339 (Amla 105, de Villiers 73, Cummins 6-79)
Australia 296 (Watson 88, Hughes 88, Steyn 4-64) & 310 for 8 (Khawaja 65, Ponting 62, Haddin 55, Philander 5-70)
Result Australia beat South Africa by two wickets
MOM Pat Cummins (Australia)
Man of the series Vernon Philander (South Africa)


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