The 1st Test of the 2002 series between Australia and South Africa at Johannesburg was highly anticipated, as it brought together two of the most competitive teams in world cricket. This test came straight on the heels of a three-test match series played in Australia between the same two teams, with all three test matches won convincingly by Australia.
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 2024 TapticInfo, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Now back at home, South Africa was keen to challenge Australia’s supremacy. Led by wicket keeper captain Mark Boucher, South Africa had a balanced team with experienced players like Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, and Allan Donald. The team was banking on their home advantage and the familiar conditions of the Wanderers Stadium to pose a serious threat to the Australian juggernaut.
The pitch at Johannesburg was expected to offer plenty of bounce and pace, traditionally favouring fast bowlers. Both teams had strong pace attacks, with Australia relying on Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, while South Africa had Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini.
However, the Wanderers pitch also had a history of becoming more favourable to batsmen as the match progressed, making the toss and the first innings crucial. The stage was set for a thrilling contest between two cricketing powerhouses, with both teams eager to draw first blood in the series.
Australia’s First Innings
Australia’s first innings in the Johannesburg Test was nothing short of a masterclass in batting, as they amassed a massive total of 7/652 declared. Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden got Australia off to a quick start with an opening partnership of 46 off 10.4 overs before Langer was first out for 28. This brought Ricky Ponting in, and he continued the quick scoring, before being dismissed for 39 off 43 balls with the score on 113.
While Langer and Ponting had scored at nearly a run a ball, Matthew Hayden was a little more sedate, although by no means slow-scoring. This was his 28th test, and after initially struggling in his first few tests, he was now an imposing figure at the top of the order, averaging 47.55.
He passed 50 in 85 balls, and with Mark Waugh, brought up a century partnership in 144 balls. Waugh was out for 53 off 84 balls, bringing in brother Steve Waugh. Hayden brought up his 8th career test century off 149 balls, before being dismissed by Andre Nel for 122 off 189 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes.
Captain Steve Waugh wasn’t able to score as quickly as his fellow team mates. He reached 32 off 98 balls before Kallis dismissed him for his first wicket of the innings with ten overs to go before stumps.
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Adam Gilchrist, 2010 Luton Anderson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This brought Adam Gilchrist to the crease, and together with Damien Martyn, they were able to take the score at stumps to 331.
This was Damien Martyn’s 23 test, and he was already averaging a very good 54.74. His partner, Adam Gilchrist, was playing his 29th test, and his average was 51.12, a revelation for a wicket-keeper batsman. But it wasn’t just the runs Gilchrist scored, but how quickly he could score them that made him so dangerous, as the South Africans were about to find out.
Gilchrist, perhaps inspired by an extremely hostile crowd, took the attack to the South African bowlers, although, he began rather sedately … at least, for him. His 50 came off 89 balls, and the Gilchrist/Martyn century partnership came off 190 balls.
It was now that Gilchrist took the brakes off. He raced from 50 to 100 off 32 balls. Damien Martyn also upped the scoring rate. His 50 came off 130 balls, but his century came off only another 37 balls. This meant that the 200 run partnership came off 275 balls, with the second 100 runs taking only 14.3 overs.
But a 200 run partnership wasn’t enough. 200 became 250 only 54 balls later, and then 300 only 36 balls later. Gilchrist’s 150 came up in 182 balls, with 16 fours and 4 sixes.
There didn’t seem like there would be any let up.
Having been 5/293 when the partnership began, the score would be 610 when it ended, with Martyn dismissed by Kallis for 133 off 207 balls with 17 fours.
Closing in on a declaration, Gilchrist increased the scoring again, taking just 30 balls to go from 150 to 200, before Australia finally declared at 7/652. Gilchrist scored 204 not out off 213 balls, with 19 fours and 8 sixes. At the time, it was the fastest ever double century, and when he retired it would remain Gilchrist’s highest test score.
South Africa’s bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batsmen on a pitch that offered little assistance. The lack of penetration in the bowling attack allowed Australia to post a mammoth total, putting South Africa under immense pressure even before they had taken to the crease.
South Africa’s First Innings
South Africa’s response to Australia’s massive total was extremely disappointing, as they were bowled out for just 159 runs. The innings was a reflection of the struggles South Africa faced against a potent Australian bowling attack. Opener Hershelle Gibbs (34 off 50 balls), number 3 Ashwell Prince (49 off 98 balls), and wicket keeper captain Mark Boucher (23 off 32) were the only batsmen to top 20.
The Australia bowlers shared the wickets around, with Glenn McGrath (3/28), Brett Lee (3/40), Shane Warne (2/26) and Jason Gillespie (2/58) sharing the spoils. McGrath’s accuracy and ability to extract bounce and movement from the pitch made him a constant threat to the South African batsmen. The combination of McGrath’s precision and Lee’s speed proved too much for the South African batting lineup, which crumbled under the pressure.
South Africa’s Second Innings
Behind by almost 500 runs on the first innings, Australia decided to send South Africa back in. This would normally have been a no-brainer of a decision, but this was just one year after the remarkable test against India where India somehow conjured up over 600 runs after being asked to follow on, and win the match. The follow on had fallen out of favour (a fact that is still the case 22 years later).
But South Africa would not produce an Indian-like miracle. Instead, their second innings followed a similar pattern to the first, as they were bowled out for just 133 runs, handing Australia an emphatic victory by an innings and 360 runs. Once again, only 3 batsmen topped 20 – Herschelle Gibbs (47 off 82 balls), Ashwell Price (28 off 49) and Neil McKenzie (27 off 34).
In fact, the innings collapsed so quickly that the final 9 wickets fell in just 15 overs for 44 runs.
Glenn McGrath, 2006 No machine-readable author provided. Roo72 assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Glenn McGrath, playing his 82nd test, with 377 wickets already at an average of just 22.0, took his 23rd 5 wicket haul, with figures of 5/21. His ability to maintain a relentless line and length, combined with his ability to extract bounce from the pitch, made him virtually unplayable for the South African batsmen. Shane Warne also played a key role, taking 4/44 with his leg spin. Warne’s variations in flight and turn bamboozled the South African lower order, further compounding their woes.
The victory to Australia of an innings and 360 runs, remains to this day Australia’s biggest ever ‘innings’ victory. It is interesting to note that South Africa’s two complete innings still fell 25 runs short of matching the partnership between Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist.
Controversial Moments
One of the more controversial moments of the match occurred off the field, as Adam Gilchrist was subjected to abuse from the South African crowd during his innings. The abuse was linked to unfounded rumours about Gilchrist’s personal life, specifically regarding his wife and family.
The hostility from the crowd created a tense atmosphere, but Gilchrist responded in the best possible way—by letting his bat do the talking. His double century was a fitting reply to the taunts and further solidified his reputation as one of the mentally toughest players in world cricket.
The incident drew attention from the media, with calls for better crowd behaviour and respect for players. Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Australian team management worked together to ensure that the rest of the series would be played in a more respectful environment.
The abuse directed at Gilchrist was condemned by players, officials, and commentators alike, highlighting the need for fans to focus on the game rather than personal attacks. This controversy, while unpleasant, did not overshadow the brilliance of Gilchrist’s performance, but it did spark discussions on the role of crowd behaviour in sports.
Legacy of the Match
The 1st Test in Johannesburg left a lasting impact on both teams and the players involved. For Australia, the match reinforced their status as the dominant force in world cricket. The comprehensive victory showcased the depth and quality of their lineup, with both the batsmen and bowlers performing at the highest level. The win set the tone for the rest of the series; Australia won the 2nd test, thereby winning the series, although South Africa won the third test
Adam Gilchrist’s double century in this match added to his growing legend as one of the most destructive wicketkeeper-batsmen in the history of the game. His innings at Johannesburg is often remembered as one of the defining moments of his career.
Gilchrist’s ability to change the course of a match with his aggressive batting became a hallmark of his career, and this performance further solidified his reputation as a game-changer. The mental toughness he displayed in the face of adversity from the crowd also added to his aura as a player who thrived under pressure. He came out in the second test and scored 138 off just 108 balls, and in the third test scored 91 off 107 balls, to complete one of his best series ever.
For South Africa, the defeat was a significant blow. The match exposed the gaps in their team, particularly in the batting department, where they struggled to cope with the quality of the Australian attack. The heavy loss on home soil was a wake-up call for the team, prompting introspection and a reassessment of their strategies and team composition.
The psychological impact of such a comprehensive defeat could have dented the confidence of the team, so it would have come as great pride the fact that South Africa almost won the second test (Australia won by 4 wickets, chasing a difficult 331), and did actually win the third test (by 5 wickets, chasing down an equally difficult 335 in the 4th innings).
This match also influenced future encounters between Australia and South Africa, adding an extra edge to the rivalry. The comprehensive nature of Australia’s victory set a benchmark for their performances in subsequent series, while South Africa’s desire to redeem themselves added intensity to future contests. The Johannesburg Test of 2002 remains a significant chapter in the history of Australia-South Africa cricket, remembered for its dominant performances, moments of controversy, and a career-defining innings of extreme grit and excitement against adverse conditions.