Australia narrowly avoided scoring the lowest ever test total as they capitulated to 47 all out but the tourists could still win the first test against South Africa following an extraordinary second day today.
The lowest test score was 26 by New Zealand against England in 1955 while Australia’s lowest was 36 against England in 1902.
A dogged last-wicket stand of 26 from Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon made sure Australia steered clear of those unwanted records but it was their fourth lowest total, worst against South Africa and lowest score since 1902.
Hosts South Africa had earlier been bowled out for 96 on a reasonable-looking wicket after the tourists had made 284 in their first innings with captain Michael Clarke scoring 151.
Parts of all four innings took place on the same day as 22 wickets fell.
Despite their woeful second innings effort albeit with the ball moving, Australia led by 235 and still have a decent chance of winning the first match of the two-test series.
Number 11 Lyon was the top scorer in their second innings with just 14 after Vernon Philander took five for 15 off seven overs as Cape Town witnessed an amazing passage of play.
Wickets were falling so often it was hard to keep up as Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin and Shaun Marsh all went for ducks.
ASTONISHING BURST
All-rounder Shane Watson earlier destroyed South Africa’s batsmen after lunch in an astonishing burst as the home side were bowled out for 96.
South Africa had set off 55 minutes before lunch in search of Australia’s first innings total of 284 and had reached a comfortable 49 for one at the break with Jacques Rudolph the only man out in his first test for five years.
But Watson joined the attack immediately after lunch and stunned South Africa’s leading batsmen with a spell of five wickets in 20 balls to end up with 5-17 off five overs.
South Africa’s rusty batsmen failed to bat with any authority as Watson bowled accurately at a lively pace and moved the ball appreciably in the air and off the seam.
In the first over after lunch, Hashim Amla was trapped lbw for three and Jacques Kallis edged a hook on to his shoulder and then to second slip for a duck.
Both decisions were given not out by the on-field officials before Australia won successful reviews.
Graeme Smith (37) then chopped the ball on to his stumps and Ashwell Prince (0) was trapped lbw by a yorker in successive deliveries in Watson’s third over and the all-rounder completed his third five-wicket haul when he trapped Mark Boucher lbw for four, the batsman unsuccessfully calling for a review.
Ryan Harris gave Watson superb support with four for 33, claiming the wickets of AB de Villiers (8), Philander (4) and Imran Tahir (5) as well as Rudolph.
Australia rode on the back of Clarke’s dazzling 151 to post a respectable 284 all out in their first innings earlier in the day having resumed on 214 for eight.
