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A new Australian side escapes whitewash; wins final Test vs South Africa

  • Australia finally wins a Test, beat South Africa by 7 wickets at Adelaide.
  • South Africa meanwhile took the series 2-1.
  • Usman Khawaja was the Player of the Match for his ton in the first innings.
A new Australian side escapes whitewash wins final Test vs South Africa

Steven Smith and Co. avoided a humiliating whitewash at home after they had faced defeats in the first two Tests of the series in Hobart and Perth. This was South Africa's second consecutive series win in Australia.

 

Read more: Will India whitewash Australia twice?

 

The Proteas resumed Day four at 194 for 6 and were bundled out for 250 in 84.3 overs. Australia's bowling attack displayed a collective effort to restrict the visitors at a low score.

 

The wickets were shared Mitchell Starc (4), Josh Hazlewood (2), Jackson Bird (1) and Nathan Lyon (3) in the second innings.

 

The day-night Test at Adelaide ended inside four days after South Africa set a target of 127 for the hosts.

 

Chasing the mere total of 127, Australia lost David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith and reached the required total in 40.5 overs. Meanwhile, it was a great moment for the debutants - Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb as they remained unbeaten in the Test with the latter hitting the winning runs.

 

 

 

 

Earlier, the surprise declaration by Faf du Plessis after South Africa scored 259, the hosts took a lead of 124 runs, courtesy of the century from Khawaja, the eventual Player of the Match and half-centuries from Handscomb, Smith and pacer, Starc.

 

Although South African opener Stephen Cook smashed a ton, his teammates failed to support him and the final four scalps fell in just 56 runs.

 

After losing five Tests in a row (three against Sri Lanka and two against South Africa), this win came as a massive boost for the hosts. "I'm very pleased and proud of the way the boys stood up for this game. Disappointing start to the series, outplayed by South Africa and Faf. They thoroughly deserve to win this series," Australian skipper Smith said after the victory on Sunday.

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