Australia save series

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

Tailenders Mitchell Johnson and 18-year-old debutant Pat Cummins dragged Australia to a gutsy series-saving win in a scintillating finish to the second Test against South Africa at Wanderers yesterday.

Australia clawed their way to 310-8 in fading light on the final day for a nailbiting and record-breaking two-wicket win. No team had made more than 294 at Wanderers in the fourth innings to win a Test before.

The victory saw Australia draw the two-match contest and salvage a 41-year unbeaten run in Test series in South Africa.

The fierce rivals provided another roller-coaster ride in the dying stages of the match, as South Africa dismissed Brad Haddin for 55 and then Peter Siddle (4) to have the tourists 292-8 and pile intense pressure on teenage No. 10 Cummins and Johnson.

Mitchell Johnson finished 40 not out in a match-winning role with the bat, after he had faced huge criticism throughout the five days for his misfiring bowling form.

Veterans Haddin and Ricky Ponting, who made 62 in Australia's second innings, also responded to harsh criticism to perform when it counted.

Legspinner Imran Tahir had a close appeal against Cummins' turned-down second ball from the end, as South Africa made one final, desperate push. Cummins pulled the next ball through midwicket and to the boundary to play a pivotal and man of the match-winning role in his first match.

The teenager also took 6-79 in South Africa's second innings, the best bowling debut by an Australian in Tests. He was the second-youngest player to take six wickets in a Test innings.