Australia v South Africa - Series Summary

Australia's first ever ATG series victory over South Africa ended the reign of one captain and strengthened the position of another, and it also re-established Australia's place at the top table in the world rankings after a season or so of decline.

Richie Benaud's captaincy skills were at the forefront during Australia's victories in the first and second Tests, and with his personal form with bat and ball showing signs of recovery he now looks set to lead the side in the defence of the Ashes next season. Erstwhile skipper Don Bradman topped and tailed the series with innings of substance, and whilst he is still struggling to piece together a consistent run of scores, he nonetheless topped the averages by a comfortable margin in a series where the bowlers were often on top. Lillee enjoyed his best ever ATG series with the ball, and Miller, Davidson and Benaud all bowled with consistency, with only Thomson struggling for form aside for his part in South Africa's demolition in the second innings at Melbourne.

The Proteas' dramatic capitulation for 44 at the MCG was undoubtedly the low point of the tour and ultimately cost Trevor Goddard his job after 51 matches at the helm. The side's recovery in Sydney may well have been a case of too little, too late, but at least the South Africans will be able to approach the upcoming series against Pakistan with a little more confidence than might have been the case otherwise. Stand-in skipper Dudley Nourse batted well throughout the series, but not one South African was able to record an individual century, and there may well still be one or two vacancies in the line-up to face Pakistan. Of the debutants, Brian McMillan made a significant impact with the bat, but his bowling lacked penetration, and with Tayfield in poor form it was left to Allan Donald to carry the Proteas' attack.

Leading Series Averages

Australia - Batting

	M	I	No	Runs	HS	Avge	100	50
DG Bradman	3	5	-	292	145	58.40	1	1
WM Woodfull	3	6	1	204	76	40.80	-	1
AR Border	3	5	-	197	88	39.40	-	2
WM Lawry	3	6	1	163	65	32.60	-	1
AK Davidson	3	5	1	125	42	31.25	-	-

Australia - Bowling

	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Avge	Best	5I	10M
KR Miller	71.0	230	13	17.69	3-31	-	-
AK Davidson	102.0	256	10	25.60	4-50	-	-
R Benaud	113.0	295	11	26.82	3-36	-	-
DK Lillee	113.1	386	14	27.57	5-16	1	-
JR Thomson	90.1	309	7	44.14	5-27	1	-

South Africa - Batting

	M	I	No	Runs	HS	Avge	100	50
AD Nourse	3	6	1	268	95*	53.60	-	3
BM McMillan	2	4	-	178	82	44.50	-	2
RG Pollock	3	6	1	209	74	41.80	-	2
BA Richards	3	6	-	212	82	35.33	-	2
TL Goddard	3	6	-	130	83	21.67	-	1

South Africa - Bowling

	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Avge	Best	5I	10M
AA Donald	132.1	387	18	21.50	6-55	1	-
TL Goddard	113.2	268	9	29.78	3-17	-	-
PS Heine	118.0	311	10	31.10	4-57	-	-
HJ Tayfield	91.2	269	4	67.25	3-56	-	-

AUSTRALIA WON THE SERIES 2-0

Players of the Series: DK Lillee & AA Donald