Year in Review: Top 5 Test performances of 2013

2. The 205 run-stand between Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers against India (India in South Africa, 1^st Test, Johannesburg)

After securing a lead of 36 in the 1st innings, the Indians batted well again to post 421 on the board, aided by Pujara who played beautifully for his 153. South Africa were put in to bat in the 2nd session of the fourth day, with a target of 458 before them – a world record total had it been chased successfully.

They did start off well, with Smith and Petersen taking their score past hundred. Soon after, the Indians got their first success when Smith was run out by Rahane, and Mohammad Shami hit the stumps of Hashim Amla and Petersen in a brilliant spell in the starting session of the last day. When Kallis also departed, the score read 197/4, and another South African batting collapse looked imminent after them having started off really well.

But that was prevented by these two gentlemen who crafted probably the greatest 4th innings chase in cricket (highest in terms of runs had they completed it), and in the process we got one of the best draws witnessed in Test cricket up till now.

They played sensibly, not taking any risks but going at a healthy run rate all the same. They played smart, getting a boundary in an over while utilising the rest of the deliveries for singles. Faf played the role of the anchor while de Villiers did the hitting, smashing Zaheer Khan, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma for a couple boundaries in single overs.

He brought up his fifty with a pull shot off Shami. Now it was du Plessis who accelerated somewhat with some boundaries. When the SA total touched 350, it was a warning signal to the Indians to start thinking of ways to get them out. Both of them completed their tons soon after, AB’s was a subdued celebration and it was clear that it was a win that was on his mind. But he did not last long.

In just over 60 overs, these two added 205 runs to the total, and it was only when de Villiers was dismissed by Ishant Sharma when the score was 402 that the Indians saw some way of returning bouncing back in the game. Faf however, was still going strong with Philander at the other end.

It was in the 133rd over that it happened – SA needed just 16 to win with 3 more overs still to go. Rahane affected a direct hit from mid-off just moments before Faf’s dive could land him in the crease. It was the most important moment of the match, as the South African hopes departed with du Plessis who played brilliantly for his 134.

After that SA did not try anything fancy, in fact they tried nothing at all, for fear of losing a Test that they had so nearly won, save for the six by Steyn on the last delivery of the match that reduced the difference to single figures. A draw seemed the best result for the game that both teams deserved to win.