Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore hailed an “incredible” performance by South Africa’s pace attack after his team were bundled out for a record low of 49 on the second day of the first Test at the Wanderers.
“I’ve never seen two hours of relentless, incredible pace bowling such as I have witnessed today,” said Whatmore in Johannesburg.
Dale Steyn was the main destroyer, taking 6-8 in 8.1 overs as Pakistan slipped below their previous lowest total of 53 against Australia in Sharjah in 2002.
South Africa did not enforce the follow on and took command of the match, posting 3-207 in their second innings to take an overall lead of 411 into the third day.
Captain Graeme Smith (52), Hashim Amla (50 not out) and AB de Villiers (63 not out) hit half-centuries.
“Most of our batsmen got out to terrific balls,” said Whatmore.
“I’m very disappointed with the result but you really need to give credit to the opposition. It wasn’t an easy wicket by any means but the way they bowled was incredible.”
Steyn said a pep talk by Smith before play had fired up the South African players, who had been bowled out for 253 on the first day.
“Graeme sat the guys down. We don’t often have these conversations. He just felt the need to sit us down for two minutes and mention to us that he wanted a hundred per cent day today and he didn’t feel we gave it yesterday,” said Steyn.
“He felt that if we gave a hundred per cent we could dominate.”
It was another triumph for South Africa’s battery of fast bowlers and the third time in less than two seasons that the world’s No.1 Test team had bowled out opponents for fewer than 50.
Australia were routed out for 47 in 2011 and New Zealand were dismissed for 45 earlier this season. Both matches were in Cape Town.
De Villiers equalled the South African wicketkeeping record by holding six catches and there were three catches in the slips as the Pakistan batsmen failed to cope with top quality bowling on a pitch with steep and sometimes variable bounce, as well as some sideways movement.
Whatmore said that although Pakistan had bowled out South Africa relatively cheaply he knew that it would be a difficult day for his team.
“Personally I thought (South Africa’s) 253 was not a bad score given the conditions of that pitch and knowing what the South African bowlers can do,” he said.
Vernon Philander took 2-16 and Jacques Kallis 2-11.
Azhar Ali (13) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (12) were the only Pakistan batsmen to reach double figures.
Steyn was outstanding, bowling at high pace and making the ball move away disconcertingly from the right-handed batsmen.
He started Pakistan’s collapse by taking three wickets in 14 balls at the start of the day and followed up with three more in 12 deliveries to wrap up the innings soon after lunch.
Asked whether he thought the pitch was too difficult for the second day of a Test match, Whatmore responded: “It looked that.”
Steyn struck with his fifth ball of the day after Pakistan resumed at 0-6, having Mohammad Hafeez caught behind for six, edging an out-swinger.
