South Africa beat Australia in remarkable cricket turnaround

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – South Africa captain  Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla led their country to a remarkable  comeback victory against Australia when the hosts won the  topsy-turvy first test by eight wickets today.
Chasing 236 for the win after a bizarre second day in which  23 wickets fell and parts of all four innings took place, Smith  (101 not out) and Amla (112) put on 195 for the second wicket to  stun Australia.
Smith hit the winning run just moments after completing his  century to spark jubilant scenes at Newlands.
The tourists had established a 188-run lead after the first  innings but were then promptly bowled out for 47 — their lowest  test total in 109 years — and only narrowly avoided the lowest  test score of 26 when they were reduced to 21-9.
Australia captain Michael Clarke, who scored 151 in their  first innings, was extremely critical of his team’s performance.
“We played disgraceful shots and our execution with the ball  today wasn’t great,” he said during the presentation ceremony.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do before the next test on  Thursday.
“(My century) was useless, it was a waste of time. You want  to help your team win. I’ll certainly forget about it very  quickly. I guarantee you this is one tough time for that team up  there.”
Australia’s attack bowled well in the first hour as South  Africa resumed on 81 for one, and were unfortunate not to  separate Smith and Amla. But they lacked precision thereafter as  South Africa’s second-wicket pair seized control.
Smith and Amla grew increasingly aggressive, hammering 36  boundaries between them as South Africa won in 50.2 overs, four  minutes after the scheduled lunch break, which was pushed back  due to the closeness of victory.
Australia could have gained a foothold in the game, but Amla  was dropped by Mike Hussey at backward point on 29 off the last  ball of yesterday’s play, and again today at first slip by  Shane Watson on 30. Seamer Ryan Harris was the bowler on both  occasions.
The two teams will now travel to Johannesburg where the  second and last test of the series begins on Thursday.