Draw bores of South Africa shut up shop to open door for Australian team for top Test spot

AUSTRALIA's cricketers awoke on Monday to spot a tiny crack in the world's No.1 Test team after the draw with India.

Faf du Plessis is disconsolate after being run out near the end of an extraordinary Test.

AUSTRALIA's cricketers awoke yesterday to spot a tiny crack in the world's No.1 Test team.

South Africa, Australia's rivals in a three-Test tour in February-March, stormed to within sight of the greatest chase in Test history - then stopped.

With a victory target of 458 against India in the first Test at Johannesburg, South Africa needed 16 runs off three overs with three wickets to spare when Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn called off the chase.

Former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs and former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed dismay that South Africa did not risk defeat in pursuit of what could have been an epic Test victory.

To many it confirmed the belief that South Africa, when cornered, generally react defensively, a heartening portent for Michael Clarke's Australians.

Even the local crowd jeered every time the final batting duo refused a run.

News_Rich_Media: After South Africa inexplicably refused to attempt to win the First Test against India in Johannesburg, we take a look back at some of Test cricket's most dramatic drawn finishes.

South African captain Graeme Smith said the decision to drop anchor was made by Philander and Steyn after AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had just been dismissed following a stand of 205.

"Guys, if you want me to say that I disagree with what Dale and Vernon did, I am not going to say that," he said.

"Ultimately the guys out in the middle, what they thought was in the best interest of the team.

"Morne [Morkel] was struggling to stand really. And Immy [Imran Tahir] - he would probably say himself that you are not too sure what you are going to get from Immy. I think we as a team have to support the decision Dale and Vernon made in the middle.

"The message was to set it up for the last over. Then there were a couple of maidens bowled, which made it difficult. I think ultimately we needed to give Vernon an opportunity to win us the game. I think he was the guy that probably would have done that. It never happened," Smith said.

"Ultimately the strength of this team is that there are good decision makers. Each guy is mature. They've made great decisions over a period of time which have won cricket games for South Africa. I think that's how we have got to No. 1 - by trusting each other and trusting each others' decision making. Dale and Vernon have 100 per cent support from me."