Steve Smith hails newcomers after hosts win at last

Skipper Steve Smith said his newly energised Australia side can only get better after a spirited win over South Africa in the day-night third and final Test in Adelaide yesterday

Steve Smith

Adelaide: Skipper Steve Smith said his newly energised Australia side can only get better after a spirited win over South Africa in the day-night third and final Test in Adelaide yesterday. The Australians ended a five-Test losing streak with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Proteas.

The second Hobart Test debacle, where they capitulated to an innings defeat in four days, triggered five team changes including three batting debutants: Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.

Smith's recharged team chased down the 127 runs required for victory on the fourth day of the pink-ball Test to give promise of better things to come.

"We can grow on what we've done in this Test match. It's been a great start for a young group that have come together. You don't grow overnight. I think it's a good opportunity for this side to play a little bit together and improve," he said.

Brief scores
South Africa 259-9 decl & 250 (S Cook 104, H Amla 45; M Starc 4-80, N Lyon 3-60) lost to Australia 383 & 127-3 (D Warner 47, S Smith 40) by seven wickets

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