SOUTH AFRICA SEALS THE SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW

SPORTS LIBROLATEST CRICKET NEWS

Amazing game of cricket came to an end after South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 80 runs. This is South Africa’s third straight Test series win in Australia. 

Faf du Plessis – captain, South Africa: Sure, it was a special performance. I thought that yesterday we were exceptional but weren’t rewarded. That’s what we wanted to do. Come back this morning and be relentless. All our bowlers were exceptional. When you play a three-seamer attack, all of them have to step up at different times. So happy for Abbott. He’s had to sit on the sidelines because of some of the great bowlers we have but whenever he gets an opportunity, he puts his hand up. Chuffed for him that he’s got a six-fer. What a massive game of cricket for us to win the series. Vern, on that wicket, is very tough. He set the tone for us. Our catching in the first innings was phenomenal. Our batsmen put their hand up in tough conditions. Quinny played superbly along with Temba. Enjoy it, celebrate with us [his message for AB, Steyn]. They know how difficult this place is to come and win. Australia is a tough team to beat on home soil, and to come here and beat them 2-0 is special. We’ve had a good 2-3 months as a team and I’m proud with how the team is moving. We’re challenging each other. We want to go to places where it’s unlikely to go. It’s important that we enjoy this moment. When we get there it will be a challenge against the pink ball and there’s an opportunity to beat Australia 3-0. I don’t think many teams, if any, have achieved that. That’ll certainly be our mission.

Steven Smith – captain, Australia: For us, it was about spending some time in the middle and bat for the day. Maybe scoring 280 or 300 and getting ourselves in front. But South Africa bowled well, gave no freebies – I didn’t score for some eleven overs – and kept the pressure on. We have to be more resilient and spend some time out in the middle. Whether it’s seaming or swinging or spinning, we seem to be in trouble. It isn’t working at the moment. It’s difficult when the confidence is low too. Credit to South Africa. Philander, Abbott and Rabada were magnificent. We are doing our best to turn it around but we have a lot of work to do. Let’s hope that the Adelaide crowd is an inspiration. We have lost the last five Tests but we are better than that. Up to the selectors to do that [when asked about making changes in the team] but we have to find ways to get this team over the line.

Kyle Abbott – Man of the Match: It’s been a case of waiting for an opportunity. Nice to make something out of it. I try my heart out when I get an opportunity. From day one, the pitch always had that look, and with the sun not coming out, it did a bit. Top of off with occasional bouncers: that was my theory. When a pitch assists you, you are going to be there in the game. We came into the series knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each of the batsman.