Image courtesy © Peter J Heeger
Whenever Australia tour South Africa I would follow most matches of that tour. Because I have not seen anyone thrashing South Africa in South Africa consistently on a comprehensive basis other than Australia. English team also has good winning percentage there. All the Asian teams have struggled there and so as New Zealand and West Indies. In this match Aussies were six down for 185 and once again Gilchrist had come up. I had always loved to watch Adam Gilchrist’s batting both in whites and colours whenever Aussies toured any country. Because he was so destructive on any surface. This time he partnered Shane Warne. He hit a double century before this match and was in great form. I had always loved to see the graph of his batting as you could see him swatting all over the wicket with his big willow of Puma. When he started his international career, he had Kookaburra bats. He had played irrespective of the situation and most times he had dominated. I really think about how he would have faced the four men bowling unit of the great West Indies team who could deliver on any pitch, if the Aussies had to take on them. I remember once Imran Khan had said, Sachin Tendulkar was so lucky not to face them. But Sachin had faced Malcolm Marshall. But that time Marshall was nearing his international career end. According to me Gilly will hit them as he had done it so many times. In most great knocks of Gilchrist he had hit high quality bowlers like Wasim Akram, Muttiah Muralitharan, Allan Donald, James Anderson, Javagal Srinath, Saqlain Mushtaq, Chaminda Vaas, Shaun Pollock, Daniel Vettori and many more. Most of these bowlers could do wonders on any track and during their prime form Gilly had dominated them. His test batting average was next to Bradman during the initial stages of his career, but lost considerably later. Also I remember when this match was on Zimbabwe was touring India and Ravi Shastri was a commentator of the Australia South Africa series which is a rare sight.
- Series – Australia tour of South Africa, 3 Match Test Series, 2nd test
- Year – 2002
- Venue – Newlands, Cape Town
- Date – 8-12 March, 2002
- Result – Australia won
- Margin – 4 Wickets
- Player of the match – Shane Warne
- Series won by – Australia
- Margin – 2-1
- Player of the series – Adam Gilchrist
Written on May 2016