Hosts Australia thrashed South Africa by an innings and 182 runs on Day 4 thereby taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Putting the visitors to bat first after winning the toss, the Proteas were bundled out for mere 189 runs in their first innings as star all-rounder Cameron Green relished scalping a fifer (5/27).
In response, the Aussies took command of their innings as opener David Warner scored one of his finest knocks in the Boxing Day Test. The southpaw amassed a double ton (200 runs from 255 balls) which included 16 boundaries and two maximums. Adding to this, Alex Carey’s century (111 runs) and Steve Smith’s 85 runs propelled the side to score a massive 575 runs before declaring the innings for the loss of eight wickets.
What followed was a combined dominating performance coming from the Australian bowling unit as the visitors just could not measure up to the level maintained by the Aussies. Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland picked five wickets between them and a wicket each came from the rest- Mitchell Starc, skipper Pat Cummins and Steve Smith.
Temba Bavuma, who came down the middle-order was the only batter in the side with a score beyond 50 as he added 65 runs to his name from 144 deliveries. South Africa eventually bowed down to the sheer dominance displayed by the hosts and handed the side another win in the series. Warner was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his brilliant knock which also marked his 25th Test century, and his third Test double century in his 100th Test game.
It is to be noted that Australia is in contention for a spot in the summit clash of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. Registering another win in the second contest against the Proteas essentially meant that the side earned 132 points in the WTC points table and have nearly cemented their first place in the standings with the percentage of 78.57. Meanwhile, team India too will be on the lookout to seal their spot as they take on their next red-ball assignment against the Aussies come February.
Here's the updated WTC Points Table after 2nd AUS vs SA Test
|
Position |
TEAM |
PCT (%) |
Points |
Matches Won |
Matches Lost |
Matches Drawn |
|
1 |
AUSTRALIA |
78.57 |
132 |
10 |
1 |
3 |
|
2 |
INDIA |
58.93 |
99 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
|
3 |
SRI LANKA |
53.33 |
64 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
4 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
50 |
72 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
5 |
ENGLAND |
46.97 |
124 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
|
6 |
WEST INDIES |
40.91 |
54 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
|
7 |
PAKISTAN |
38.89 |
56 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
|
8 |
NEW ZEALAND |
25.93 |
28 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
|
9 |
BANGLADESH |
11.11 |
16 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
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