Australia clinched a resounding win in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa by an innings and 182 runs on Thursday (December 29) to seal Test series against Proteas after eight long years.
Riding on the emphatic win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Day 4, Australia lead the three-match Test series 2-0 and have taken another step towards the imminent World Test Championships (WTC) final as they continue to reign in the standings with Team India chasing them. David Warner's dazzling double century, which ended his three-year Test ton drought, Alex Carey's phenomenal cent and Cameron Green's fiery fifer hogged limelight with their exceptional performances which didn't let the South African come out of the shambles from the word go.
The hosts declared on 575/8 on Day three with an ominous lead of 386 after South Africa were bowled out in their first innings for 189.
Starting from 15/1 on the Day 4, none of the South Africa batters could convert their starts as they kept losing wickets in regular intervals. Only Temba Bavuma (65) tried to give some fight back. Only a miracle could save South Africa and it didn't come. They were wrapped in 204 as Nathan Lyon returned with maximum 3/58 for the winners.
On Day 4, Scott Boland got the first strike as he had Theunis de Bruyn (28) caught at second slip as cracks continued to appear in the Proteas' brittle batting lineup. Those cracks widened when Khaya Zondo was run out in demoralizing fashion for one at 65-4 after Bavuma pushed to mid-off and called Zondo through for a risky single.
Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne (33) fought hard to add 63 for the fourth wicket before Boland (2-49) removed Verreynne lbw at 128-5 in the fourth over after lunch. Marco Jansen (five) fell in the same fashion to spinner Nathan Lyon 16 runs later, following a video review.
Bavuma was involved in a second run out, theatrically turning his back on Keshav Muharaj (13) who was forced to give up on an attempted third run through cover and failed to regain his ground at the striker's end at 174/7.
A wild slog from Bavuma was caught at mid-on in the following over as Lyon claimed his second victim of the innings and Kagiso Rabada (three) also skied an attempted slog, leading to his departure in Lyon's next over at 177/9. Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi entertained the crowd with some big hits as they added 27 for the last wicket, which fell before the tea break on day four.
Warner was named Player of the Match after his second-day double century, which reinforced his worth in the side, having come into the game under pressure to hold his spot. Warner's century, coming in his 100th Test match, was the 25th of his Test career.
Australia's victory means they have an unassailable lead in the series but they have a list of headaches ahead of the third Test in Sydney next week. Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green both have finger injuries, with both set to miss the game at the SCG, while Lyon required treatment on day four for a shoulder concern. Australia's next Test series after this is in India in February.
