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Australia registered their first home series win against South Africa since the 2005-06 summer after a dominating victory in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. The result also derailed South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Now, the Proteas need to win the final match of the series to stay in contention for the WTC final.
The tourists were bowled out for 204 inside 69 overs in the second innings, with Temba Bavuma the only batter to reach a half-century. His 63-run stand for the fifth wicket with Kyle Verreynne was the only partnership that grew to over 50. Verreynne, with 33, was the second top-scorer for the visitors.
Nathan Lyon had a fruitful outing on Day 4 as he picked up three wickets for 58. Similarly, Scott Boland bagged a couple of scalps. Pat Cummins‘ insane effort of conceding only 20 runs in 16 overs and making good use of the DRS to get rid of Sarel Erwee and Marco Jansen was noticeable as well.
Earlier in the game, Australia declared their first innings on a massive 575/8 courtesy of David Warner’s stunning double century and Alex Carey‘s maiden ton in response to South Africa’s mere 189.
“It (the win) is right up there. We have had some great contests with South Africa. We hadn’t won against them at home in 20 years, I think, so pretty special. I thought how Warner and Smith batted in the heat was pretty gutsy. Starc and Green as well, put their injuries behind them and turned up. Davey was superb, you could see his energy from ball one, and to do it in his 100th Test is awesome. He (Carey) has really cemented his place in the Test side, and to get a hundred in a Boxing Day Test is special,” said Aussie skipper Cummins after the match.
Brief Score: Australia 575/8 dec (David Warner 200, Alex Carey 111, Steve Smith 85) beat South Africa 189 (Marco Jansen 59, Kyle Verreynne 52, Cameron Green 5/27) & 204 (Temba Bavuma 65; Nathan Lyon 3/58) by an innings and 182 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
David Warner caps off an incredible 100th Test with the Johnny Mullagh Medal #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/c6i8UP8H9G
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2022
🚨 RESULT | AUSTRALIA WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 182 RUNS
The hosts wrap up the series with this #BoxingDayTest victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series#AUSvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/tZvlyhN2cn
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 29, 2022
Australia wins their first Test series against South Africa in Australia after losing 3 consecutive series.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 29, 2022
West Indies were more competitive than South Africa, who arrived in Australia No.2 in the world…#AUSvSA
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 29, 2022
Australia won the Test series against South Africa after 16 long years in Australia.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 29, 2022
West Indies were more competitive than South Africa, who arrived in Australia No.2 in the world…#AUSvSA
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 29, 2022
That's it!
A dominant performance by the Aussies sees them win by an innings and 182 runs over South Africa at the #BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/0wdOme0q3C
— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) December 29, 2022
Pat Cummins bowled four maidens with his first four overs, more maidens than any South African has managed in this entire series (3)
— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) December 28, 2022
Looks like there was a tiny spike on Snicko as the ball passed the bat there…
Steve Smith might have just missed out on a Test wicket.#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/Be1qtoZRe4
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 29, 2022
Usman Khawaja is the people’s champion for a reason. Here he is signing autographs & posing for selfies at the opposite end of the MCG from the dressing-room at the end of what has been a remarkable year in his Test career #AusvSA pic.twitter.com/kneZWriNb5
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 29, 2022
