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I thought it'd be a cool idea to have a little thread to document some random victories of note. Present them in however much - or little - detail as you like. 
This first one might appear all that special, but the context is pretty important. Both Australia and South Africa were level at 30 points each on top of the world cricket rankings, with South Africa having won its previous tour to Australia 1-0. Things looked dire after they hammered my Australian side by an innings and 87 runs in the first test, before we came back to level the series at 1-1 in Adelaide with a 6 wicket win.
It all came down to the final day of the third test, with a draw enough for Australia to sneak ahead on top of the rankings and a win enough to open up a sizable gap.
Australia v South Africa, 3rd Test, Perth, 5th day
Hughes comes of age as Australia surge to top of rankings
Australia 403 (Lynn 115, Clarke 72, Steyn 4-111) & 6 for 278 (Hughes 126*, Steyn 3-49) beat South Africa 390 (du Plessis 113, Smuts 92, Maxwell 3-41) & 290 all out (Rudolph 76, Vallie 72, McDermott 4-45) by four wickets
Australia has returned to the top of the world test rankings with a nailbiting four wicket win over South Africa to claim the series 2-1 at the WACA.
South Australian opener Phil Hughes led the way with his seventh test century as Australia chased down the target of 278 with three overs to spare. The 28-year old started watchfully against a fiery Dale Steyn on the bouncy WACA track, before opening up during the afternoon session to set up Australia's victory.
South Africa resumed on 5-246 looking to add quick runs to their overnight lead of 233. James Pattinson, however, had other ideas as he rocked the tourists with the new ball - removing JJ Smuts leg before and Vernon Philander two balls later with a searing short ball.
On an unbeaten half century, Yaseen Vallie looked to keep the run rate going as he combined with debutant Ayabulela Gqamane for an eighteen run stand to resist Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson's barrage. However they weren't prepared for a nine ball salvo from Alister McDermott who mopped up the tail with his full of a length bowling to remove Vallie, Gqamane and Dale Steyn in quick succession.
Set 278 for victory, Australia looked in serious trouble as Steyn struck twice in his third over. David Warner's horror series came to an end with his fourth single figure score as Steyn had him playing loosely outside the off stump. Warner, whose six innings produced just 57 runs, was tormented by Steyn, who removed him four times. He was joined in the shed by Chris Lynn two balls later, with the first innings centurion also knicking off to a red hot Steyn.
Despite the early strikes, Hughes was steady as he and man of the series Steve Smith added 91 for the third wicket. With a draw looking likely, Smith looked to lift the pace only to loft a return catch to the part-time off-spin of Vallie for 46.
Needing quick runs, captain Michael Clarke struck an important 45 off 57 balls before he became Steyn's third victim after tea as he chopped a short ball to Faf du Plessis at backward point. However, Hughes was undeterred and found another partner in Matthew Wade as the pair added 64 for the fifth wicket to take Australia to the brink.
While Hughes lost Wade and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession, he was sublime as he coasted to perhaps his finest test match century with a quick single. It was only fitting that, with three overs to spare, the South Australian lofted Gqamane for four runs to complete the victory and secure the series for the hosts.
Steve Smith was named Man of the Series for his 322 runs at an average of 64.40, including a match winning 176* in the second test. Australia now play host to Pakistan in a three test series, beginning in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
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This first one might appear all that special, but the context is pretty important. Both Australia and South Africa were level at 30 points each on top of the world cricket rankings, with South Africa having won its previous tour to Australia 1-0. Things looked dire after they hammered my Australian side by an innings and 87 runs in the first test, before we came back to level the series at 1-1 in Adelaide with a 6 wicket win.
It all came down to the final day of the third test, with a draw enough for Australia to sneak ahead on top of the rankings and a win enough to open up a sizable gap.
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Australia v South Africa, 3rd Test, Perth, 5th day
Hughes comes of age as Australia surge to top of rankings
Australia 403 (Lynn 115, Clarke 72, Steyn 4-111) & 6 for 278 (Hughes 126*, Steyn 3-49) beat South Africa 390 (du Plessis 113, Smuts 92, Maxwell 3-41) & 290 all out (Rudolph 76, Vallie 72, McDermott 4-45) by four wickets
Australia has returned to the top of the world test rankings with a nailbiting four wicket win over South Africa to claim the series 2-1 at the WACA.
South Australian opener Phil Hughes led the way with his seventh test century as Australia chased down the target of 278 with three overs to spare. The 28-year old started watchfully against a fiery Dale Steyn on the bouncy WACA track, before opening up during the afternoon session to set up Australia's victory.
South Africa resumed on 5-246 looking to add quick runs to their overnight lead of 233. James Pattinson, however, had other ideas as he rocked the tourists with the new ball - removing JJ Smuts leg before and Vernon Philander two balls later with a searing short ball.
On an unbeaten half century, Yaseen Vallie looked to keep the run rate going as he combined with debutant Ayabulela Gqamane for an eighteen run stand to resist Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson's barrage. However they weren't prepared for a nine ball salvo from Alister McDermott who mopped up the tail with his full of a length bowling to remove Vallie, Gqamane and Dale Steyn in quick succession.
Set 278 for victory, Australia looked in serious trouble as Steyn struck twice in his third over. David Warner's horror series came to an end with his fourth single figure score as Steyn had him playing loosely outside the off stump. Warner, whose six innings produced just 57 runs, was tormented by Steyn, who removed him four times. He was joined in the shed by Chris Lynn two balls later, with the first innings centurion also knicking off to a red hot Steyn.
Despite the early strikes, Hughes was steady as he and man of the series Steve Smith added 91 for the third wicket. With a draw looking likely, Smith looked to lift the pace only to loft a return catch to the part-time off-spin of Vallie for 46.
Needing quick runs, captain Michael Clarke struck an important 45 off 57 balls before he became Steyn's third victim after tea as he chopped a short ball to Faf du Plessis at backward point. However, Hughes was undeterred and found another partner in Matthew Wade as the pair added 64 for the fifth wicket to take Australia to the brink.
While Hughes lost Wade and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession, he was sublime as he coasted to perhaps his finest test match century with a quick single. It was only fitting that, with three overs to spare, the South Australian lofted Gqamane for four runs to complete the victory and secure the series for the hosts.
Steve Smith was named Man of the Series for his 322 runs at an average of 64.40, including a match winning 176* in the second test. Australia now play host to Pakistan in a three test series, beginning in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
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