5 best Test matches of the season

Modified Jun 18, 2017 18:51 IST

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 09: David Warner of Australia raises his bat to the sky in tribute to the late Phillip Hughes after his innings of 145 during day one of the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 9, 2014 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) — Cricket is a game rich in its ability to tell stories- those of friendship, trust, life and even death

#3 South Africa vs Australia at Hobart, 12-15 November 2016

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Kyle Abbott of South Africa celebrates after taking the final wicket to give South Africa victory over Australia during day four of the Second Test match between Australia and South Africa at Blundstone Arena on November 15, 2016 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) — Australia’s embarrassment at home sent shockwaves throughout the cricketing community

Closeness of result: 2/5Balance between bat and ball: 5/5Context: 4/5Standard of Play: 3/5 Aggression: 4/5

A timeless TV trope is that of the bully finally getting vanquished by the good guys. For decades, the Big Bad Aussies ran rampant all over the world, demolishing teams. No team was a match for the raw pace and verbal abuse of the teams of Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and the like.

So, when Australia were somewhat in a position of weakness, eaten alive by the lovable Rangana Herath in Sri Lanka, I was excited to see my childhood bully finally get what was coming to him. On a green wicket in Hobart, with the entire first day washed out, the Australians were bowled out for 85.

It’s not that the Australian batsmen hadn’t shown application, it was as if they’d completely forgotten how to play. Kyle Abbott, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada (assisted by a handy throw from sub-fielder Dane Vilas) crashed through the Australians.

On their second try, Australia slipped, stumbled and eventually collapsed for 161, giving South Africa a win by an innings and 80 runs. It was a win that meant Australia discarded Mitch Marsh (don’t worry, he inexplicably came back), Adam Voges, Joe Mennie, Callum Ferguson, Joe Burns and Peter Nevill.

It sent such shockwaves in their administration that it completely changed their selection policies. For South Africa, this was a key stepping stone in their climb back up to glory. In the last 18 months, they had fallen five places down to 6th in the rankings, and this moralising win against Australia, without AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, signified a new attitude from the shameful 2015-2016 season.

The change in captaincy from AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis also proved to be a vital part of their team’s climb to number 2 in the rankings.