This Day That Year: South Africa chased down a massive target in Test match

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South Africa produced a memorable chase on the final day of the 1st Test match against the mighty Australian team played at WACA Stadium, Perth on 21st December 2008.

Chasing 414 runs to win, South Africa lost an early wicket of Neil Mckenzie cheaply. South African captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla steadied the innings for the visitors putting on 153 runs for the 2nd wicket to lay a strong foundation. It was a great performance by South African batsmen like AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis who helped end day 4 on 227 for 3.

The overnight batsmen Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers kept on ticking the scoreboard putting pressure on the Australian bowlers. It was a superb batting effort by both Proteas batsmen as Smith scored a superb century laying a strong foundation. Jacques Kallis's innings came to an end as Mitchell Johnson dismissed him. Amla and de Villiers added 124 runs for the 4th wicket. de Villiers completed his fifty off 92 balls making life tough to keep the momentum going. South Africa went into the lunch break at 322 for 4.

After the lunch break, de Villiers and Duminy made the batting look easy keeping the scoreboard ticking. It was great going by both experienced Proteas batsmen. De Villiers completed his century off 179 balls while Duminy maintained good scoring. Despite Australian top-quality bowling, de Villiers and Duminy created history as they chased down a massive target of 414. Both South African batsmen put on unbeaten 111 runs. De Villiers remained not out on 106 while Duminy not out on 50 to help South Africa do the unthinkable.

Australian captain Ricky Pointing won the toss and decided to bat first. It was an exciting first day as the hosts made 341 losing 9 wickets. The second day saw Australia add important runs as they were bowled for 375. In reply, the visitors struggled with their batting ending the day at 243 for 8.

Thanks to a good contribution by Mark Boucher, South Africa was bowled out for 281 giving a lead of 94 runs. The Australian innings looked good to end day 3 on 228 for 7. Thanks to brilliant batting by Brad Haddin, Australia made 319 runs setting 414 runs to win.

This is the second-highest run chase in Test history. It was a remarkable chase by the Proteas especially by AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis scored half-centuries.

For his brilliant 106 not out in the second innings, AB de Villiers was named the man of the match award.

South Africa 281 in 89.5 overs (AB de Villiers 63, Jacques Kallis 63, Mitchell Johnson 8/61) and 414 for 4 in 119.2 overs ( AB de Villiers 106*, Graeme Smith 108, Johnson 3/98) beat Australia 375 in 98.5 overs ( Simon Katich 83, Clarke 62, Ntini 4/72) and 319 in 97 overs ( Brad Haddin 94, Kallis 3/24, Paul Harris 3/85) by 6 wickets.









AB De Villiers helps South Africa chase down 414 runs in the second innings 

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