It All Comes Down to This

On the 23^rd of October 2011, South Africa played Australia in the 2nd One Day International (ODI) in the series at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Australia won the first game in Centurion the week before, so the pressure was on South Africa to produce a winning result, and tie the series to set up a decider at Kingsmead in Durban the following week.

The photo story allows the viewer to witness the audience’s reactions and the match atmosphere, as the game itself unfolds into a thrilling spectacle of professional cricket at its best. The story opens with an aptly described “it all comes down to this” poster just outside the stadium, suggesting the degree of the Proteas’ challenge ahead. Just before the story moves into St George’s Park and amongst the atmosphere, keen fans approach the stadium, as a lone Australian flag waves limply in the background. Before the match has even began, the story soaks up the anticipation, as people begin to fill the stands, and the teams warm up, shortly before the players line up to sing the national anthems.

A while later, things are looking good for the Proteas. Smith and Kallis move on to their fifties, cueing a roar from the crowd and a mass waving of the flags. South Africa complete their innings, and it’s a very competitive 303, leaving a mammoth task ahead for the Aussies. 

As Australia go in to bat, children scramble to the boundary rope to get the prized autographs of their favourite players, whilst on the pitch South Africa are mounting on the pressure by taking wickets at regular intervals. The crowd let that be known, with the famous St George’s band proudly blowing their trumpets.

The day turns to night, and the Proteas’ are almost past the finish line. The team huddle together once more to celebrate the ninth wicket. Finally, South Africa get that last wicket, and they have won by an emphatic 80 runs, setting up a thrilling decider at Kingsmead.

Fans approach St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth, before the second One Day International between South Africa and Australia commences. A rare Australian flag waves near the entrance to the ground.

One of many fliers filling the streets of Park Drive, St George's Park. "It all comes down to this" aptly describes the match situation, in which South Africa must win in order to win the series.

Seats start to fill up at the Duck Pond End of St George’s Park. With one hour still to go until the game commences, many eager fans get themselves comfortable and soak up the sun, for what is to be a long and exciting day ahead.

The Australian cricket team warm up on the field before the game, whilst Australian captain Michael Clarke and interim coach Troy Cooley take a moment to chat to Supersport pundit Tom Moody. "We're here to win all three one-day games so our mindset is very clear. We're very focussed on the job at hand. We want to win the game, we'll worry about what that means later"- Michael Clarke.

The South African flags begin to fly high as the teams step on to the field. An anxious atmosphere surrounds the ground as the realization that South Africa must win this game sets in.

The Australian and South African cricket teams line up for their respective national anthems.

Graeme Smith raises his bat to the Old Stand in appreciation as he reaches his half century off 61 balls. The big batsman had come into this game on a run of bad form. "Everyone knows Graeme and the amount of work he puts in and the desire he has. When he is playing well, we usually get good starts"- South African Captain Hashim Amla.

Jacques Kallis plays an exquisite cover drive, as he hopes to be the second batsman of the day to reach his half century. Ricky Ponting, the Australian fielder, can only look in awe as it goes to the boundary for a four.

Jacques Kallis does indeed reach his half century, and it comes off a brisk 57 balls. South Africa are in a commanding position at this stage, having only lost one wicket and an impressive run rate of over five runs per over.

South Africa's healthy position over the Australians is received well by the crowd. South Africa finish on a very impressive 303-6. Two individuals huddle together in respect to the Proteas' position, as they wave their flags and await the Australian innings to follow.

Jacques Kallis, ever present with bat and ball, steams in to bowl in the 12th over.  "The key for a one day bowler is to adapt to the conditions quite quickly"- Jacques Kallis.

Children scramble up to the boundary rope in hope of receiving an autograph from South African spinner Johan Botha.

The sun begins to set over St George's Park, and the famous St George's band are still in full voice. South Africa are doing well at this stage, as Australia struggle on 107/2 at the half way point of their innings, at a sluggish run rate of just over four runs an over.

The Proteas' sense victory as they huddle together in celebration of yet another wicket. JP Duminy took a fantastic catch on the boundary to send Australian batsman Steven Smith off the field.

South Africa eventually take the last wicket they need off the last ball of the innings. The Australians are disappointed yet gracious in defeat, as they shake their opposition's hands.

The Proteas' win is loud and clear, as the grounds men do the post-match chores. South Africa head to Durban for the final One Day International, in what will be a thrilling decider.