Malcolm heroics salvage series

29 June 2008 | By Rob Barnett

Paceman Devon Malcolm claimed career-best figures 9-57 to level the Test series

In the first of a series of classic photo stories looking at England v South Africa Test series ecb.co.uk goes back to 1994 when the Proteas toured the UK for the first time since the end of apartheid.

The pro-white regime saw South Africa banned for participating in international cricket from 1970 until they were reinstated in 1991.

Kepler Wessels lead the tourists to a 1-1 draw in the three-Test series against Mike Atherton’s men who won both subsequent one-day internationals.

South Africa went into the first Test at Lord’s on the back of five draws against county opposition but hit form at the right time. Wessels’ first-innings century and Allan Donald's five-wicket haul set up a 356-run win.

However, the match will be remembered for the ‘dirt in the pocket affair’ when Atherton was found guilty of altering the condition of the ball on the third day.

The series moved on to Headingley, which hosted a high-scoring draw. Atherton fell one short of a hundred but Peter Kirsten hit back with a century before Graeme Hick returned the compliment.

Needing to win the final Test at the Oval to draw the series, England found a hero in paceman Devon Malcolm.

Often chided for inconsistency, Malcolm found an unlikely source of inspiration when a Fanie de Villiers delivery struck him on the helmet in the second innings of the match.

Malcolm is believed to have uttered the immortal words “you guys are history” before tearing in to take a career-best 9-57 in South Africa’s second innings.

England lost only two wickets in reaching the 205 they needed for victory.