South
Africa completed what captain Graeme Smith described as "a special
summer" when they beat Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs on the third
day of the third and final Test against Pakistan.
It was South Africa's sixth successive win and extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches.
Both are records for South Africa while Smith also became the first man to achieve 50 Test wins as a captain.
"We spent a long time on the road," Smith said of successive away series wins in New Zealand, England and Australia, which preceded five wins at home -- two against New Zealand and three against Pakistan.
"We wanted to come back and play a really positive brand of cricket in front of our own crowds."
South Africa stretched their lead at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings but Smith said the team did not want to become complacent.
"There have been some incredible milestones for myself and the team," said Smith.
"I am just grateful to have achieved something today and to be part of a special group of cricketers who can hopefully go on to achieve a lot more."
Champion fast bowler Dale Steyn took four for 80 as Pakistan were bowled out for 235 in their second innings, an improvement on their first innings total of 156.
Steyn was also responsible for the run-out of Azhar Ali which sparked a collapse of the Pakistan middle order.
Both are records for South Africa while Smith also became the first man to achieve 50 Test wins as a captain.
"We spent a long time on the road," Smith said of successive away series wins in New Zealand, England and Australia, which preceded five wins at home -- two against New Zealand and three against Pakistan.
"We wanted to come back and play a really positive brand of cricket in front of our own crowds."
South Africa stretched their lead at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings but Smith said the team did not want to become complacent.
"There have been some incredible milestones for myself and the team," said Smith.
"I am just grateful to have achieved something today and to be part of a special group of cricketers who can hopefully go on to achieve a lot more."
Champion fast bowler Dale Steyn took four for 80 as Pakistan were bowled out for 235 in their second innings, an improvement on their first innings total of 156.
Steyn was also responsible for the run-out of Azhar Ali which sparked a collapse of the Pakistan middle order.
0 comments:
Post a Comment