Genius Philander leads Proteas to historic series win

If three injured fast bowlers mean the Proteas can bowl out sides for 119, then keep playing them until they’re on crutches!

All jokes aside, South Africa were absolutely relentless in wrapping up a mammoth 492-run victory in the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers on Tuesday.

More importantly it means they wrapped up the series 3-1, their first overall triumph against the Aussies at home since re-admission in 1991.

After Morne Morkel (2/28), who leaves international cricket on a high but also a side strain, took two wickets on the fourth evening to hang the noose, it was the mesmerising Vernon Philander that tightened it and choked the brittle Australian batting.

The stocky seamer has been playing with tight groin for the whole match yet it hardly seemed to bother him as he grabbed a career-best 6/21.

It was a cracking spell of swing bowling.

Philander struck with the first ball of the day when an inswinger caught Shaun Marsh on the crease, in the process making him lob the ball to Temba Bavuma at gully.

Three balls later brother Mitchell nibbled at a teasing delivery outside off, handing Philander his 200th Test wicket.

If ever there was an appropriate way to reach that milestone, it was that delivery – a classic Philander dismissal.

From there on, things went barmy for the Australians as the Proteas’ king of seam took three further wickets by just keeping things simple.

Almost appropriately, the visitors’ fate was sealed when Nathan Lyon was run out while attempting an admittedly risky second run.

It summed up what has become a thoroughly demoralising visit to Africa.

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