Australia (575/8d) defeat South Africa (189 & 204) by an innings & 182 runs to win the 2nd Test

200 in 100th test. Poor guy forgot he had cramps and did his customary celebration. Got worse.
 
RSA 189
AUS 386/3 (91) CRR: 4.24
Day 2: Stumps - Australia lead by 197 runs

==

Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test, Day 2 Highlights:David Warner scored 200 in his 100th Test match before being retired hurt and Steve Smith also contributed with an 85-run knock as Australia dominated South Africa on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia took a lead of 197 runs after ending at 383 for 3 at stumps on Tuesday. Travis Head and Alex Carey were batting on the scores of 48 and 9, respectively, when the stumps was called.

Earlier, Cameron Green also retired hurt after taking a blow in his finger while facing a bouncer delivery. For the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje claimed a wicket each

NDTV
 
Ashes this year is going to be very interesting.

So far, the Cummins/McDonald era has produced 9 wins and 1 loss starting from the last Ashes .

Bazball also has a record of 9 wins and 1 loss since it started.
 
should look to pile on the pain even more and win by an innings. want nothing less than a 3-0 from australia this series.
 
The Aussies are good, but South Africa are so so poor at the moment man.

I know I’ve given South African cricket and their players a hard time over the years on PP but in moments like this they show why they deserve it.

Two catastrophic batting collapses in the first innings when they were in stable positions from which they should have kicked on (56/1 and 179/5) and they end up going under for a pathetic 189. I read that they haven’t passed 200 as a team in several Tests now and that’s just not good enough at all.

And as much as I respect David Warner as a batsman, he has been batting like a cat on a hot tin roof for most of the last 3-4 years & any side that sees present Davey through to a double ton and still can’t get him out has severe problems. That is Warner’s place in the side sealed for the Ashes now, which may or may not turn out to be a good thing for Australia.

Dean “it’s a man’s game and I intend to play the game hard” Elgar has got to be the most overrated and ineffectual captain in world cricket. An absolute bottle job of a South African side that he leads and one of the worst ever to tour Australia.
 
The Aussies are good, but South Africa are so so poor at the moment man.

I know I’ve given South African cricket and their players a hard time over the years on PP but in moments like this they show why they deserve it.

Two catastrophic batting collapses in the first innings when they were in stable positions from which they should have kicked on (56/1 and 179/5) and they end up going under for a pathetic 189. I read that they haven’t passed 200 as a team in several Tests now and that’s just not good enough at all.

And as much as I respect David Warner as a batsman, he has been batting like a cat on a hot tin roof for most of the last 3-4 years & any side that sees present Davey through to a double ton and still can’t get him out has severe problems. That is Warner’s place in the side sealed for the Ashes now, which may or may not turn out to be a good thing for Australia.

<B>Dean “it’s a man’s game and I intend to play the game hard” Elgar has got to be the most overrated and ineffectual captain in world cricket. An absolute bottle job of a South African side that he leads and one of the worst ever to tour Australia</B>.

That's the South African media that highly overrates him and Faf both as some sort of crisis man captains in the mould of Border when in reality, this team has gone downhill only.
 
There were some dismal shots in SAF's 1st innings. This pitch isn't anywhere near as difficult to bat on as Brisbane.

Their batting overseas has been poor for a while. It's a shame given they've got a well rounded pace attack.
 
Australia are manhandling South Africa.

Warner could've scored 300 but he was retired hurt.
 
Also saw the clip of Nortje being knocked down by Spidercam. Thankfully he wasn't seriously hurt.

It's time these stupid gimmicks that add little to the TV coverage are done away with.
 
Also saw the clip of Nortje being knocked down by Spidercam. Thankfully he wasn't seriously hurt.

It's time these stupid gimmicks that add little to the TV coverage are done away with.

Don’t you want another Tapal Tea Moment?
 
Also saw the clip of Nortje being knocked down by Spidercam. Thankfully he wasn't seriously hurt.

It's time these stupid gimmicks that add little to the TV coverage are done away with.

Yup.

Cricket is becoming more and more childish. Too many cheap gimmicks and pretentiousness.
 
The Aussies are good, but South Africa are so so poor at the moment man.

I know I’ve given South African cricket and their players a hard time over the years on PP but in moments like this they show why they deserve it.

< snip >

Dean “it’s a man’s game and I intend to play the game hard” Elgar has got to be the most overrated and ineffectual captain in world cricket. An absolute bottle job of a South African side that he leads and one of the worst ever to tour Australia.

They have the worst batting I have seen in a major test side. Even in England’s bad years they had Root. SA have nobody.
 
There were some dismal shots in SAF's 1st innings. This pitch isn't anywhere near as difficult to bat on as Brisbane.

Their batting overseas has been poor for a while. It's a shame given they've got a well rounded pace attack.

On day 1 i said it is a good batting wicket, but SA will be bowled out in a day. It happened. Because their make up is like that 5+1+5. Turns out 1 and one of the bottom 5 saved their face. Top 5 none of them are world class. Including Elgar. He is a laborious batsman. If you pick ATG SA XI, this guy won't be anywhere near that line up.
 
Also saw the clip of Nortje being knocked down by Spidercam. Thankfully he wasn't seriously hurt.

It's time these stupid gimmicks that add little to the TV coverage are done away with.

Lucky that not injured

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Lucky that not injured

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 80%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/l244xs" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Ouch!

I don't know why is there a need for that object. It is a danger to players and umpires.
 
On day 1 i said it is a good batting wicket, but SA will be bowled out in a day. It happened. Because their make up is like that 5+1+5. Turns out 1 and one of the bottom 5 saved their face. Top 5 none of them are world class. Including Elgar. He is a laborious batsman. If you pick ATG SA XI, this guy won't be anywhere near that line up.
Yes Elgar is a supporting act at best.

I remember seeing Erwee make a hundred in NZL. He looked organised and knew where his offstump was. Done nothing since and played away from his body in 1st inns.

De Bruyn is a TTF, recall watching him tour ENG in 2017 and was a walking wicket.

Bavuma has a horrible conversion rate, only one Test hundred since his debut. His overseas record is poor too. Zondo averages 31 in FC cricket and yet is batting at #5, seems like a racially motivated pick.

Maybe the standard of SA FC cricket has declined, but there are domestic batsmen putting up decent numbers like JN Malan and Joshua Richards. David Bedingham has got runs for Durham in County Cricket but not sure if he wants to play for ENG or SA.
 
Yes Elgar is a supporting act at best.

I remember seeing Erwee make a hundred in NZL. He looked organised and knew where his offstump was. Done nothing since and played away from his body in 1st inns.

De Bruyn is a TTF, recall watching him tour ENG in 2017 and was a walking wicket.

Bavuma has a horrible conversion rate, only one Test hundred since his debut. His overseas record is poor too. Zondo averages 31 in FC cricket and yet is batting at #5, seems like a racially motivated pick.

Maybe the standard of SA FC cricket has declined, but there are domestic batsmen putting up decent numbers like JN Malan and Joshua Richards. David Bedingham has got runs for Durham in County Cricket but not sure if he wants to play for ENG or SA.

Alviro Pietersen a technically correct batsman. Very textbook material. But also decent temperament. He has a long way to go. Markram blows hot and cold. They have to start blooding guys like Brevis. I know he has limited experience. But his batting is very similar to ABDV. They can see give him an opportunity to see if he is ready. Als Klassen has a FC average of around 48. For some reason this Zondo guy gets opportunity.
 
Alviro Pietersen a technically correct batsman. Very textbook material. But also decent temperament. He has a long way to go. Markram blows hot and cold. They have to start blooding guys like Brevis. I know he has limited experience. But his batting is very similar to ABDV. They can see give him an opportunity to see if he is ready. Als Klassen has a FC average of around 48. For some reason this Zondo guy gets opportunity.

Alviro Petersen? Or did you mean Keegan Petersen?
 
Another one sided win for AUS in all probability. The SA batting line-up seems pretty brittle which is backed by a string of low team totals. ABd and Faf's retirment in quick succession seems to have left a huge void.
 
Another one sided win for AUS in all probability. The SA batting line-up seems pretty brittle which is backed by a string of low team totals. ABd and Faf's retirment in quick succession seems to have left a huge void.

Yes their batting has been dismal but their bowlers only managed to get three wickets in a days play.
 
South Africans have given up, their body language on the field pretty much says it all. This game is the series, SA will be bundled out cheaply unless they come with a lot of determination.
 
South Africans have given up, their body language on the field pretty much says it all. This game is the series, SA will be bundled out cheaply unless they come with a lot of determination.

Their ceiling of late has been 200. Now the lead is well over 200. It is going to be psychologically challenging.
 
This match is already over so I don't see the point of sending Green out to bat with a broken finger.
 
South Africa batting line up is comparable to WI and BD these days, not even an exaggeration.
 
Australia should declare and show mercy on the SA bowlers. This reminds me of Indian bowling a few decades ago when Indian batting used to fold for under 200 and Aus batters score 600 for fun. SA really are a joke of a Test team now.

Australia and England are in a different league. India and NZ are 2 or 3 levels below Aus and England. SA, Pak are 2 levels below India and NZ.
 
Australia is not declaring for 2 reasons. 1) Australia has lost 2 bowlers 2) This will tire SA bowling so much that they will struggle in next match.
 
I heard there is likely to be drizzle. Is AUstralian going to declare? I think they should attack the bowling a bit more. Green is largely operating in 4th gear.
 
Starc copping a helmet blow now from Jansen. I am not sure about the point of continuing this innings.
 
Starc copping a helmet blow now from Jansen. I am not sure about the point of continuing this innings.

Possibly because the SA batting will only last about 35 overs and the match will finish inside two days.
 
Possibly because the SA batting will only last about 35 overs and the match will finish inside two days.

Yea. But bowlers can pick up injuries. Seems like Cummins immediately realized and declared it right after the blow.
 
For heavensake SA shouldn't reach the WTC final whether INdia reaches or not. Utterly garbage batting unit.
 
AUS 575/8 d
RSA 189 & 15/1 (7) CRR: 2.14
Day 3: Stumps - South Africa trail by 371 runs
 
Australia's injury woes continue to worsen with news that star all-rounder Cameron Green has broken a bone in his finger and will miss the upcoming third Test against South Africa in Sydney.

Green was struck on the finger by a rising Anrich Nortje delivery while batting late on the second day of the ongoing second Test against the Proteas and was forced to retire hurt.

Scans have revealed that Green has a small fracture to his right index finger and Australia won't take any risks with the in-form 23-year-old ahead of a hectic upcoming schedule.

While Green will bat again at the MCG if required, the right-armer won't get the chance to repeat his first innings heroics with the ball when South Africa bat again in Melbourne.

Green picked up his maiden five-wicket haul on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, stepping up admirably after veteran quick Mitchell Starc picked up a finger injury of his own.

While the severity of Starc's injury is yet to be fully revealed, it is unlikely the left-armer will be available to bowl during the remainder of the second Test and Australia will be devoid of two of their best bowling options.

Green will sit out next week's third and final Test against the Proteas at the SCG to ensure he recovers in time for the crucial four-match series in India starting in February.

The clash against India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be crucial in determining which sides qualify for next year's ICC World Test Championship final.

Australia currently sit on top of the standings and are in the box seat to book a place in the 2023 decider, while India are holding on to second spot following their recent series sweep over Bangladesh.

ICC
 
Even with the Australian bowling attack down to Cummins, Boland and Lyon, plus Travis Head supporting, you can bet that the South African batting lineup will fold for under 200 yet again and Davey Warner will come on to take the final wicket with a few part time twirlers in his 100th Test.
 
AUS 575/8 d
RSA 189 & 15/1 (7) CRR: 2.14
Day 3: Stumps - South Africa trail by 371 runs

==

Australia closed in on winning the second Test and the series against South Africa on Wednesday after Alex Carey struck a maiden century to leave them in a commanding position.

The hosts declared at tea on 575-8 on day three with an ominous lead of 386 after South Africa were bowled out in their first innings for 189. In reply, the Proteas were 15-1 when play was abandoned early at the Melbourne Cricket Ground due to persistent drizzle. Their bid to save the Test, and the three-match series after losing the opener in Brisbane, got off to a horror start with under-pressure skipper Dean Elgar caught by Carey off Pat Cummins without scoring in the second over.

Theunis de Bruyn, who was dropped by David Warner on three, was not out six alongside Sarel Erwee on seven.

Wicketkeeper Carey, playing in his 14th Test, was superb in reaching three figures for the first time before he was caught and bowled by Marco Jansen for 111.

At the declaration, a battling Cameron Green was not out 51 despite a fractured finger, alongside Mitchell Starc on 10.

Carey and Green piled on the misery in a 117-run partnership after South Africa gave themselves a glimmer of hope with early wickets, including David Warner first ball after he resumed on 200.

Australia resumed on 386-3 with Travis Head on 48 and Carey on nine after a herculean unbeaten double century from Warner in his 100th Test in gruelling heat on day two.

The veteran opener retired exhausted with severe cramp after making his third Test double ton, but he returned to the crease when Head was out for 51, walking out to huge applause.

He told host broadcaster Fox before play began that he had a "rough night's sleep".

"I probably woke up six or seven times," he added, and was bowled first ball by an Anrich Nortje yorker as Australia lost three wickets for five runs.

Green ruled out of bowling

Temperatures were much cooler than the 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, with conditions overcast and humid -- generally favourable to the bowlers.

And the ever-dangerous Anrich Nortje took advantage, bowling Head in the third over before snaring a bewildered Warner next ball.

Pat Cummins fended off the hat-trick delivery, but he did not last long.

The Australian skipper fell to the third ball he faced when South Africa successfully reviewed a caught behind decision off Kagiso Rabada's bowling that was initially denied by the umpire.

Carey was joined by Nathan Lyon and they steadied the ship.

Lyon made an entertaining 25 before holing out to Khaya Zondo off Lungi Ngidi.

Ahead of play, Green, who took 5-27 in South Africa's first innings, was ruled out of bowling again in Melbourne -- and the third Sydney Test -- with a fractured finger, but he bravely came out to bat.

After a slow start, he began playing his shots in an admirable supporting role to Carey, who counter-attacked after the early wickets fell to consolidate Australia's advantage.

Carey was the first Australian wicketkeeper to make a Test century since Brad Haddin in 2013 and only the second at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after Rod Marsh.

NDTV
 
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Crucification continues. Absolutely relentless. This is not at all bowling friendly conditions. Just the pressure they apply with ruthless consistency eventually draws the mistake. The only way you can tackle is by being very aggressive. It will come with risks. But you cannot block here and survive.
 
Sarel Erwee, Theunis de bruyn and khaya Zondo should be dropped after this match/series. Neither of the three are international class.

Elgar, Bavuma and Vereynne are decent batsman who would have done better in a stronger team. Bring back Markram and Keegan Petersen. Van der dussen also although he hasn't translated the LOI performances to Tests yet.
 
Bavuma has played so many Tests. Just 1 century 19 fifties. Average 34.

Momentum plays a major role too. If you have wickets falling from other end then it is hard to convert the fifties and sixties into hundreds. In a better test batting, he would have hit a few more hundreds and average at Rahane level.
 
A shameful performance from South Africa. I have never seen a worse SA Test Batting Order ever since I started watching cricket in 2009. Not a single batsman has an average of 40 in FC cricket, and only a few of them are international standards.

Furthermore, it is time that the SA Cricket Board take notice of the fact that their transformation policies are not only hurting the fortunes of the SA Cricket Team, but also affecting the quality of International Cricket.

Khyle Zondo, not so long back, complained of racism against AB. Does he seriously consider himself to be better than the likes of Miller and Elgar, who played in the 2015 ODI Series in India ? Why is the fact that he got through his political connections is brushed under the carpet ?

If SA seriously thinks that Zondo and Bavuma can serve as role models, they are seriously mistaken. How do they expect batsman averaging in the mid 30s, lacking in flair and strokeplay, to inspire the next generation ?

Moreover, if SA has applied such stringent quotas during their heydays from 2007 to 2014, who would they drop to accomodate the colored players ? Would they have dropped some of the greatest players of their generation - the likes of Kallis, AB, Smith, Steyn, Morkel and co.

These are issues that deserve some serious consideration.
 
Even with the Australian bowling attack down to Cummins, Boland and Lyon, plus Travis Head supporting, you can bet that the South African batting lineup will fold for under 200 yet again and Davey Warner will come on to take the final wicket with a few part time twirlers in his 100th Test.

8 down—
It’s on.

This would be the 8th consecutive innings in a Test match (if it happens) wherein SA’s batting unit failed to cross 200.

Now I thought that Ashes series in Australia could be one sided affairs, but clearly I hadn’t been watching closely enough, because SA is producing an all time low of a tour here performance wise.

What a shame for Test cricket that this South African side is in the mix for the WTC final against Australia at Lord’s. You could replace SA with practically any other team in the league table and they’d put up a better fight in English conditions against the Aussies.
 
So apart from India, every team - SA, England, NZ, PAK - has been bullied into submission in Australia in recent years.
 
Very boring match and very boring series. One sided domination by Australia.Cricket in Australia is no fun .
 
Their 5 wicket hauler in the first innings is not even playing. Still SA is struggling to touch 200. Starc bowled only intermittently.
 
And India bottled a series against this South African team early this year after leading 1-0 :facepalm

No wonder it was the worst loss of the year for Indian team. Performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg were shambolic from us.
 
And India bottled a series against this South African team early this year after leading 1-0 :facepalm

No wonder it was the worst loss of the year for Indian team. Performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg were shambolic from us.

SA drew in New Zealand. They are not that horrible. Very strong at home.
 
Congratulations, Australia. They win a home series against South Africa after more than 14 years.
 
SA drew in New Zealand. They are not that horrible. Very strong at home.

SA historically always win vs NZ whether home or away.

This time they were actually lucky to win an odd test and draw the series, could have easily lost the series had it been a 3 or 4- match series. The only win they had was thanks to their best player Rabada having an odd test match where he was able to run through the Kiwi batting which was missing Williamson who is great at home.

I feel NZ had a great chance to win their first series vs NZ but they also threw it away.
 
Australia have boosted their chances of appearing at next year's ICC World Test Championship final and put a big dent in South Africa's hopes with a dominant victory over the Proteas in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Pat Cummins' side wrapped up the innings-and-182-run victory midway through the fourth day of the Test, with experienced spinner Nathan Lyon (3/58) and seamer Scott Boland (2/49) doing the majority of the damage on Thursday to complete the MCG rout.

The victory sees Australia open up an insurmountable 2-0 series lead on the Proteas and helps them extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings.

The 12 points Australia receives for the win takes them to 132 points from 14 matches this period, with their win-percentage boosted to an impressive 78.57% following the victory.

It means Australia are well placed for a maiden appearance at the World Test Championship final at The Oval next year, with five Tests remaining this period (one against South Africa in Sydney and four in India during February and March) before the finalists are determined.

The top two teams qualify for the World Test Championship decider and South Africa's chances of earning one of those two spots are further diminished following a second consecutive disappointing performance on Australian shores.

The Proteas arrived in Australia in second place on the standings and with expectations high, but back-to-back losses has seen Dean Elgar's side slip to fourth on the updated table.

India hold on to second spot on the standings with a 58.93% win-percentage and Sri Lanka (53.33%) rise to third and in front of South Africa (50%) after the Proteas' efforts in Melbourne.

South Africa resumed on the fourth day at 15/1 and needed a miracle to try and work their way back into the Test, with Temba Bavuma (65) and Kyle Verreynne (33) offering some brief resistance during a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket.

But Boland broke the partnership when he trapped Verreynne LBW and then Lyon wrapped up the tail to ensure Australia cruised to victory and yet another series triumph on home soil.

ICC
 
zji1Ubd.png
 
South Africa has come under fire from the cricket world after crumbling against Australia on day four including two calamitous run outs in a disastrous end to the Boxing Day Test for the visitors.

The Proteas were bowled out for 204 to fall a whole innings and 182 runs short of the Aussies in a one-sided showing as the three-match series was decided at 2-0.

The second run out was the most damning in a mix up between Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj in the middle of the pitch.

Bavuma turned on his blind side for a third run, scampering halfway down the pitch and sending Maharaj back as Mitchell Starc’s direct hit at the stumps sent the South African walking back to the pavilion.

“That was a total disaster – two good runs and then one shocking run ... complete confusion between Bavuma and Maharaj,” Australian great Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“That should’ve been an easy three ... absolute disaster for South Africa, that sums up the first two Test matches for them.

“Just amateur hour from Bavuma unfortunately ... that’s not good enough at Test level. It’s alright to be out to a good ball or a good bit of fielding, but not a mistake like that. They’re not quite up to Test level at the moment.”

New Zealand great Ian Smith added of the run out: “That is just a calamity, just dreadful cricket ... it’s not a good thing about the South African running, not one good thing you can highlight.”

Thursday’s score of 204 featured collapses in either session – 3-18 in the first followed by 4-30 in the second in under nine overs to complete the major capitulation.

The last time the Proteas were so badly beaten Down Under was in 2001-02, when Australia won all three Tests by margins of nine wickets, 10 wickets and 256 runs respectively.

“It is the sign of a team not in sync when you get run outs like we’ve seen this morning,” former Aussie Test spinner Kerry O’Keefe said of South Africa.

“It’s not quite doing the basics well this team, and if you don’t do the basics well, you get hurt.”

Indeed, South Africa will be licking its wounds ahead of a dead rubber third Test at the SCG, where if nothing else, they can restore some pride.

Proteas skipper Dean Elgar admitted his side was ‘hammered’ by the Aussies and hoped his side put in a better effort in Sydney.

“It’s not easy at the moment, it’s a bit of a hammering that,” Elgar said.

“But we haven’t been up to speed with regards to the kind of intensity of play that Test cricket deserves.

“We’ve got to do a lot reflection going forward. I thought we were good in periods, so there a few positives out of that, but there’s not a lot.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/d4f2255dedeafe1f1db90fc97b231063
 
Are Aussie fans enjoying this summer of cricket? Very one sided Test matches against West Indies and South Africa have followed a T20 World Cup which had mostly ghastly attendances and one in which Australia didn’t do very well.
 
As for South Africa — a joke.
Nothing much else to say.
 
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