The fate of the match was already confirmed. The wait was to see how long South Africa could continue the fight. What happened, in the end, was helpless surrender. Australia won by an innings and 182 runs on the fourth day of the Melbourne Test.
This is their biggest margin of victory at home against the Proteas. With this victory, Australia took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Meanwhile, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, the Auji forces made new history. Their last series win at home against the Proteas was in the 2005-06 season. South Africa then won the three-match series. Cummins-Warner changed their fortunes.
South Africa was bowled out for just 189 in the first innings by young pacer Cameron Greene. After that, Warner-Carrie put a mountain of 575 runs in front of them. Warner scored a double century in his 100th Test. He scored 200 runs off 255 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes. After Warner, Alex Carey scored a century. The batsman scored 111 runs off 149 balls. Steve Smith scored 85, Head scored 51 and Green scored 51.
Batting in the second innings, South Africa lost one wicket and scored 15 runs at the end of the third day. Only 189 more runs could be added to the scoreboard on Thursday (December 29) on the fourth day. Earlier in the day, the two unbeaten batsmen Ervia and Tiares de Braine, however, showed little resistance early on.
Even though the ball hit the edge of the bat in a few rounds, somehow they spent almost an hour. After that Mitchell Starc hit with an injured finger. Ervia went lbw for 21 off his yorker. It didn’t take long for Day Brain’s wicket to come after that.
Temba Bavuma fought back late on to avoid the shame of an innings loss. However, while playing a slog sweep to Lions, he also returned to the dressing room after scoring 65 runs off 144 balls. Then the Proteas’ innings collapsed like a house of cards. After being bowled out for 189 in the first innings, the Proteas were bowled out for 204 in the second innings.
In the first innings, Fifer couldn’t bowl due to Green’s injury. Mitchell Starc has to bowl with finger pain. However, there was no lack of dedication from the Aussie bowlers. He got the results in hand.
Australia, who topped the ICC Test Championship, won the match and almost assured the final. South Africa must win the next Test to keep their chances alive. The Test in Sydney starts next Wednesday