South African cricket team in Australia in 1993–94
The South Africa national cricket team toured Australia in the 1993–94 season to play three test matches in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide against Australia which was played from the 26 December 1993 to 1 February 1994.
| South African cricket team in Australia in 1993–94 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Australia | South Africa | ||
| Dates | 26 December 1993 – 1 February 1994 | ||
| Captains | Allan Border | Kepler Wessels | |
| Test series | |||
| Result | 3-match series drawn 1–1 | ||
Before the test series, the South Africans played four matches in the tri-nation ODI tournament with Australia and New Zealand. After playing a warm-up match against a Queensland eleven, they played in the yearly Boxing Day test played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which ended in a draw. The second test which was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground saw South Africa claim a five run victory before Australia came back in the third test at Adelaide Oval winning by 191 runs to tie the test series at 1-1.
The tour was the first to be made by the South African cricket team to Australia for 30 years, and was undertaken as the apartheid system was being dismantled in South Africa and the country transitioned to democratic government.[1]
Squads
| Tests | |
|---|---|
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Australia[2] |
South Africa[3] |
Tour matches
South Africa vs. Prime Minister's XI
The opening match of the tour for South Africa was against the Prime Minister's XI in Manuka Oval. The Prime Minister XI took home the victory by four runs over the South Africans who leading into the match still had some fitness worries.[4] Hansie Cronje top scored for South Africa with 60 as despite a late flurry of runs, they didn't match the required run rate early on and late tail-end wickets secured the victory.[5]
South Africa vs. Victoria
The South Africans next tour match was a four day game against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Batting first, the South Africans was bowled out for 261 on the opening day with Brian McMillan top scoring for South Africa with 55 while Victorian bowler, Damien Fleming took six wickets.[6] The following day, Victoria couldn't take command with youngster Brad Hodge top scoring with 80 as Victoria lost four wickets for a single run before declaring on 8/330 only an half an hour before lunch on the third day.[7] The third day also saw anger with McMillian describing the pitch as a "beach" after getting an knee injury which forced him out for the first two tests. Rubber mats had to put in place on the run-up areas.[8] Bowling South Africa for 178, Victoria chased down the target of 110 with six wickets to spare. Darrin Ramshaw top scoring for Victoria with 42.[9]
4–7 December 1993 |
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South Africa vs. Queensland
After playing four matches in the tri-nation series, South Africa went to Queensland to play in the final warm-up match before the first test. Batting first, South Africa scored 7/335 in their first innings. This included a 242 run partnership between Hansie Cronje and Darryl Cullinan after they were 3/38 when the partnership arrived as they broke the Australian record for the fourth-wicket partnership.[10] In resposne, only Stuart Law and Ian Healy settled in with 56 and 41 respectively with the Queenslanders being bowled out for 183 on the second day. Fanie de Villiers being the pick of the bowlers with 3/34 with all of his wickets being in the top order.[11] Not forcing the follow on, South Africa scored 8/224 in the second innings with Andrew Hudson scoring 105 in what was his first respectable score of the tour from six innings.[12] The match though would end in a draw but not before Trevor Barsby almost scoring a century as he fell one run short after falling leg before wicket to de Villiers.[13]
South Africa vs. New South Wales Invitational XI
Initially the match wasn't on the tour schedule but after the 1994 eastern seaboard fires went through New South Wales, a match was arranged between the South Africans and an invitational eleven that featured Allan Border.[14] For South Africa this would be a practice match before the tri-nation series final against Australia and after Daryll Cullinan scored 95 in the South Africa's 5/247. Chasing down the target down, the invitational team after a 59 from Mark Waugh would collapse as they lost six wickets for 25 runs to give South Africa the win by 19 runs. This was due to Richard Snell second spell where he took four wickets to extinguish the chances of the host team winning.[15]
18 January 1994 Scorecard |
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 New South Wales Invitational XI228 (49 overs) | |
- South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
Test series summary
1st Test
26–30 December 1993 Scorecard |
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- Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
- There was no play on the second day.
- Fanie de Villiers and Gary Kirsten (both SA) made their Test debuts.
The opening test of the series was a momentous occasion with it being the first test between these two sides in Australia since the 1963–64 tour.[upper-alpha 1][17] Leading into the test, Jonty Rhodes was declared fit and ready to go after not being able to face fast bowling for twelve days due to the injury to his hand in the One Day International (ODI) that was played in Sydney.[18] The opening two days of the test saw barely any action on the field with rain being a constant feature of those days. After winning the toss, Australia got to 2/71 from the overs that was played during the first day with only Michael Slater and nightwatchman Shane Warne being the wickets to fall.[19] In the case of Warne's wicket, it was Fanie de Villiers first wicket in test cricket as he and Gary Kirsten was on debut for the South Africans.[20]
The second day saw no play for the first time in Melbourne since the 1970–71 against England when that whole test was abandoned. Estimates from the first two days was around $600,000 in revenue due to the loss of ten hours from the twelve hours of play that was scheduled.[21] The following day saw another 128 minutes being played for only 69 runs before rain affected the rest of the day with the Australian Cricket Board having discussions about the test being turned into a ODI.[22] That propulsion though wouldn't occur though with the final two days of the test seeing play all throughout the day as the match would end in a draw. Though it wasn't without Mark Taylor scoring his 12th century as he became the second player after Martin Crowe to score centuries against seven different test nations.[23] He would go on to score 170 as he and Mark Waugh (84) lead Australia to declare on 7/342. For South Africa, Craig Matthews was the pick of the bowlers with 3/68.[24] After ending the day on 1/59, South Africa would finish the test on 3/258 with Cronje scoring 71 and Kepler Wessels who had to be on pain-killing tablets the previous day ending on 63 not out as the match ended in a draw.[25]
2nd Test
The second test match of the series saw changes only to the Australians as they went with the same twelve players but McGrath replaced Reiffel in the lineup. For South Africa, they went in with the same eleven from the first test.[26] This was despite Brian McMillian testing his knee in the nets in hope of an call up to the team as he was picked as the 12th man while Wessels getting through training and kept his spot in the team.[27] On the opening day, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. Initially the decision was a good one with the South Africans being 1/91 with Kirsten (67) and Cronje (41) setting a 90 run partnership. But with the crowd of 32,681 urging him on, Warne took 7/22 in a 78 ball spell as South Africa collapsed to be all out for 169.[28] After surviving the first day on 1/20,[28] Australia slow-marched their way towards South Africa score with Slater (92) being in a 104 run partnership with captain Allan Border (49) that tooked four hours. During this time, Slater got hit on his right hand three times from the small plates of grass on the Randwick End with Border also getting hit in the eye as he attempted to sweep over Symcox bowling.[29] In an interview that day, Slater responded, "The wicket is deteriorating quite quickly, and quite powdery." The Age also describing the pitch as it's more disintegrated more than a fourth-day Shield strip. South Africa wasn't without trouble with Wessels having to be on the field for a short while due to a dive from second slip as it split the webbing inside the hand.[30]
Australia would bat for close to three hours on the third day before being bowled out for 292. This was helped by Damien Martyn who delivered with his square cuts and pull shots for his 59. South Africa though had six chances going down during the innings which added to the four from the previous test. In the bowling, de Villiers was the pick of the bowlers as he took 4/80 from 36 overs while Allan Donald also took four wickets.[31] The second innings of South Africa saw some resistance with Kirsten and Cronje keeping Shane Warne away from wicket taking opportunities. After Kirsten was bowled by Craig McDermott, Wessels (18) was brought up the order to bat at four. Despite the injury to his hand which would later rule him out of the rest of the series,[32] he defended his wicket for 41 minutes, getting South Africa to 2/94 at the end of the day.[33] After an early collapse of 3/9 on the fourth day, Jonty Rhodes (76*) steadied the ship as he lasted three and a quarter hours, wearing down Warne and counter-attacking McDermott. His innings would feature seven boundaries which included a six over the square leg fence. Small contributions from Dave Richardson (24) and Allan Donald (10) got the score to 239 which set Australia a target of 117. Warne again being the pick of bowlers with 5/72 as his bowling performance of 12/128 was the best second performance by a bowler at the SCG.[34]
Chasing 117 for victory, Australia got off to 1/51 before de Villiers took three wickets from five balls as he got David Boon (24), Tim May (0) and Taylor (27) to put Australia at 4/63 at the end of the day. Only Mark Waugh avoided giving de Villiers his hat-trick when he clipped the ball to mid-wicket for a three.[35] The first over of the final day saw Border's wicket fall for seven off Donald to put Australia at 5/63. After the wickets from Warne, Healy and Waugh fell, Australia was now 8/75 with two wickets left. McDermott would play his natural game on his 29* as at the other end Damien Martyn (6) held firm at his crease. For 106 minutes he kept his wicket alive, bringing the target to only seven runs needed before driving a catch in the covers. The last wicket falling only eight balls later to give South Africa the win by 5 runs and their first test win at the SCG.[36][37]
3rd Test
Heading into the test, the teams played in tri-series finals which was won by Australia 2-1.[38] On the day of the third final, the Australian touring squad with the Australians also confirming their spot in the Austral-Asia Cup that was to be played after the South African tour.[39][40] After winning the toss and elected to bat, Australian players, Taylor, Slater and Boon all recorded half-centuries before getting out trying to raise the tempo of their innings. At the end of the day Australia ended at 4/240 with Donald being the only multi-wicket taker with two wickets.[41] After ending the first day on 32, Steve Waugh played with impressive confidence on his way to 164 runs as he and Allan Border broke the Australian record for the fifth wicket partnership against South Africa with 208.[42] During that partnership though, Border became the first cricket player to get to 11,000 tests runs on his way to 84 as he got Australia to declare at 7/469.[43] In response, South Africa would only just avoid the follow on as they scored 273 for their first innings. Andrew Hudson was the top scorer for the South Africans with 90 as he got them to 2/173 with Gary Kirsten (43) and Peter Kirsten (79) contributing. This would be undone though by an inspirational spell from Steve Waugh who took four wickets in his spell. This was due to not taking the new ball at the end of the 80th over with Border keeping Waugh on.[44][45]
References
- "The South Africans in Australia, 1993-94". Wisden. 1995. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- Baum, Greg (30 November 1993). "Spin the key to beating South Africans: Border". The Age. p. 46 – via newspapers.com.
- "South Africans ready for big time again". The Age. 29 November 1993. p. 36 – via newspapers.com.
- "Sth Africa hit by injuries". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 December 1993. p. 50.
- Magnay, Jacquelin (3 December 1993). "Hayden leads way to leave tourists queasy". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 39.
- "Fleming snares 6 tourists". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 December 1993. p. 70.
- Blake, Martin (6 December 1993). "S African paceman send down a warning". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 38.
- Blake, Martin (7 December 1993). "MCG beach sparks anger". The Age. p. 48.
- Blake, Martin (8 December 1993). "Cricket chief call on AFL to cut back MCG matches". The Age. p. 32.
- Wilkins, Phil (21 December 1993). "Run feast quenches partners' thirst". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 40.
- Wilkins, Phil (22 December 1993). "Fanie spears Bananabenders". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 42.
- Wilkins, Phil (23 December 1993). "Wessels, Healy in pre-Test flare-up". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 34.
- Wilkins, Phil (24 December 1993). "Rhodes comeback a boost for test". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 22.
- "Cricket game to raise funds". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 January 1994. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Williams, Daniel (19 January 1994). "Cold comfort from the bushfire game". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 54.
- Williamson, Martin (1 October 2005). "When people power sunk South Africa". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- "A tradition reborn". The Age. 26 December 1993. p. 2.
- "Rhodes fit for test". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 December 1993. p. 41-42.
- Wilkins, Phil (27 December 1993). "S Africa lead the reunion charge". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 38.
- Baum, Greg (27 December 1993). "Donald sounds warning to bats". The Age. p. 23.
- Baum, Greg (28 December 1993). "Weather turns Test to disaster". The Age. p. 24.
- Wilkins, Phil (29 December 1993). "Rain havoc may transform Test into one-dayer". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 30.
- Blake, Martin (30 December 1993). "Taylor, a centurion to seven nations". The Age. p. 1.
- Wilkins, Phil (30 December 1993). "Wessels injury a blow for Sydney test". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 32.
- Baum, Greg (31 December 1993). "Gritty Wessels set to play on". The Age. p. 20.
- Baum, Greg (1 January 1994). "S Africa ace in knee test". The Age. Sydney. p. 24.
- "It's a turner". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 January 1994. p. 38.
- Squires, Tony (3 January 1994). "Shane snares seven little South Africans". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1, 32.
- Wilkins, Phil (4 January 1994). "True grit the real winner at SCG". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 32.
- Baum, Greg (4 January 2020). "Slater raps pitch for SCG grind". The Age.
- Baum, Greg (5 January 1994). "Battered S Africa tries to hold on". The Age. Sydney. p. 30.
- Baum, Greg (5 January 1994). "Captain's injury curse strikes down Wessels". The Age. p. 30.
- Wilkins, Phil (5 January 1994). "Hurt Wessels keep S Africa in the contest". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 38.
- Wilkins, Phil (6 January 1994). "De Villiers warns: it's not over yet". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 38.
- Baum, Greg (6 January 1994). "De Villiers shock spell spooks bats". The Age. Sydney. p. 22.
- Wilkins, Phil (7 January 1994). "Sweetest win as S Africa climb the first mountain". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 28.
- Baum, Greg (7 January 1994). "The path to an impossible win". The Age. p. 22.
- Wilkins, Phil (26 January 1994). "Border wins hearts and World Series". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 52.
- Baum, Greg (25 January 1994). "Jones, Hughes for S Africa". The Age. Sydney. p. 34.
- Baum, Greg (28 January 1994). "Border warns of too many tours". The Age. Adelaide. p. 22.
- Baum, Greg (29 January 1994). "Test fortune rests with AB, Waugh". The Age. Adelaide. p. 54.
- Ray, Mark (30 January 1994). "Waugh shows way". The Age. Adelaide. p. Sport - 2.
- Wilkins, Phil (30 January 1994). "Steve's turn to thrash tourists". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 59.
- Baum, Greg (31 January 1994). "Waugh comes to the rescue". The Age. Adelaide. p. 27.
- Wilkins, Phil (31 January 1994). "S Africian hero reported". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 40.