The final day of the South Africa-Australia Test 'series'

It is over before it has even began. It has been cut off in its prime.

It is almost if the South African and Australian players have jointly resolved to make their respective boards look as cretinous as possible for the terribly flawed decision to agree that this 'series' should comprise just two Test matches.

There have been more thrills and sprills, more twists and turns than the first series of 24, and the penultimate dayof the series yesterday was no different.

Hashim Amla paid fitting tribute to Basil D'Oliveira by completing his hundred - all non-white South African sportsmen particularly cricketers owe Dolly a debt of gratitude. Since the beginning of last year, Amla has scored 1549 Test runs at a tick over 70 and has claim to be the best batsman in the world today.

Australia has produced some tremendous fast bowlers over the years and 18 year old debutant Patrick Cummins looks the latest in a long line after his performance in this game. Taking a six wicket haul on your first appearance is something special especially the way he led the Australian attack, to do so at this tender age marks out Cummins as one to keep your eye on.

Then there is the drama within the drama that is Ricky Ponting's attempt to save his illustrious Test career. His partnership with Usman Khawaja has brought Australia back into the game and the prospect of Ponting saving his career with a match-saving hundred is an enticing one to say the least.

Whilst as much opprobrium as possible needs to be flung at the South African and Australian cricket boards for their senseless decision to agree such a short series, much credit must go to their players for what has been an enthralling seven days cricket to date.

A drawn series seems the fairest result and the one that makes the boards look even more ridiculous, so we will be willing Ponting on this morning in what we hope will be a one wicket win for Australia.

Where next?

Basil D'Oliveira R.I.P

Dale Steyn's formidable statistics

What Jacques Kallis had for breakfast this morning

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - South Africa marks out of 10

Has Ricky Ponting lost his punch?

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - Australia marks out of 10

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

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Comments

[Ian]

What a find is young Patrick Cummins! An inspired selection, considering he has so little fc cricket behind him before being picked. He has all-round potential too, besides being an asset in the field. If he's properly managed, I can see him with hundreds of test wickets before he's done - and I am sure that he'll make life hot and difficult for the Indian legends in a few months' time; he's just the sort of bowler they can't cope with outside the dead tracks of the sub-continent, Rahul Dravid apart. If he gets the best of Tendulkar (and I suspect he may), that will put an end to ST's career, not before time, in my opinion.

[The Reverse Sweep]

A real gem. If they could find a similarly talented batsman then Australia will be closer to England by the time of the 2013 Ashes then many currently would consider.