Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Day 5

2214dBharath Seervi

Biggest Test win since 1934

Statistical highlights of the final day of South Africa's home summer, which culminated in a 492-run win against Australia

1866dDaniel Brettig in Johannesburg

'A lot of us have to step up' - Paine

The Australia captain hopes the team, under a new head coach, will embrace a culture shift and start with a clean slate

1866dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

'There was not one day did I not enjoy coming to nets' - Morkel

The fast bowler counted South Africa's first Test series wins in England and Australia since readmission as the highlights of his international career, and the 2015 World Cup semi-final defeat as a significant low point

1866dDaniel Brettig in Johannesburg

In darkest hour, Australia start to listen

After years of either wilful or inadvertent ignorance, Australia have recognised the need for a change in attitude for the benefit of their most influential stakeholders: their fans

Day 4

2215dThe Report by Brydon Coverdale

Morkel takes SA closer to 3-1 after du Plessis ton

South Africa batted on and on in Johannesburg on the fourth day to push their lead past 600, before Morkel's strikes, as he battled a side strain, left Australia three down in a colossal chase

1866dDaniel Brettig in Johannesburg

Sounds of Australian silence a marker of change

Throughout a 250-ball stay that would usually have attracted plenty of unflattering Australian commentary, Dean Elgar was mainly faced with an unusually silent visiting team

1866dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Du Plessis satisfies his needs, Elgar fulfils his wants

Du Plessis was coming off low scores which is why he needed the hundred more than he wanted it. Elgar didn't need a hundred because he already scored a big one in this series but he still might have wanted it

Day 3

2216dThe Report by Brydon Coverdale

Australia made to grind as SA lead crosses 400

Tim Paine and Pat Cummins showed fight with the bat, and Cummins was a constant threat with the ball, too, but South Africa remained firmly in control of the match, and almost certain to complete a historic home series win against Australia

1866dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Crafty Maharaj emerges from the shadows

The left-arm spinner tends to slip under the radar, but he is South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker in the series, and could well be in the spotlight in its final act, particularly given Morne Morkel's injury concerns

1866dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Morkel pulls up with injury in his final Test

He left the field 40 minutes before lunch on the third morning in Johannesburg for some treatment. The team management hope he could push on for the rest for the match

1866dDaniel Brettig in Johannesburg

'Permanent' Paine shows stomach for fight

Since an injury in late 2010, Paine has fought his way back into the Tasmanian and Australian teams, before quickly assuming a senior role by dint of his deft glovework, neat, determined batting and the mind and temperament of a leader

Day 2

1865dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Bee-stung de Kock misses Shaun Marsh stumping

Keshav Maharaj's flight left Australia's No. 5 stranded outside his crease, but he lived to fight on (though not for too long) thanks to the timely efforts of a wicketkeeper-hating bee

1866dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Bavuma digs in for innings of character

He was left stranded five short of what would have been his second Test hundred, but Temba Bavuma did enough by then to answer many of the questions that have been raised over his place in South Africa's Test team

Day 1

1865dThe Report by Nikhil Kalro

Australia find the will to fight after Markram 152

Aiden Markram capitalised on a bowling line-up lacking penetration, making 152, his highest Test score, and strengthening South Africa's position in their bid for their first home series win against Australia since 1970

1865dDaniel Brettig in Johannesburg

Paine redefines Australia and captaincy

The new Australia captain wanted to foster an environment where players did not feel they had to conform to a narrow idea of what an Australian Test cricketer should be

1865dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Imperious Markram enters impervious bubble

The South Africa opener has the ability, like Jacques Kallis before him, to shut out everything and simply bat, and it's quite a feat that he's managed to do this so consistently across such an ill-tempered series

Others

1865dESPNcricinfo staff

Six before Paine: surprise captains

From New Zealand's Lee Germon, who debuted as New Zealand captain, to Floyd Reifer, who took charge of West Indies while they were in the middle of a contracts crisis

1865dFirdose Moonda in Johannesburg

Smith 'a good guy caught in a bad place' - du Plessis

South Africa's captain has expressed sympathy for Steven Smith, but was less charitable to David Warner, whom he hoped would 'reflect and see if he can change the way he has played the game'

Australia 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st21JA BurnsMT Renshaw
2nd13UT KhawajaJA Burns
3rd34JA BurnsPSP Handscomb
4th20SE MarshPSP Handscomb
5th0MR MarshPSP Handscomb
6th7TD PainePSP Handscomb
7th4TD PainePJ Cummins
8th1NM LyonPJ Cummins
9th0CJ SayersNM Lyon
10th19NM LyonJR Hazlewood