Australia defeated South Africa by an innings and 182 runs on the fourth day of the second Test match played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG on 29 December 2022.
Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to field first. It was a tremendous bowling effort by the hosts as they skittled out South Africa for 189 runs. Cameron Green took his maiden five-wicket haul in Test matches. Kyle Verryne and Marco Jansen scored half-centuries putting on 112 runs for the sixth wicket.
David Warner provided an excellent display of batting in his 100th Test match putting pressure on South African bowlers along with Steve Smith. Both Warner and Smith added 239 runs for the third wicket to put Australia in a commanding position. Warner retired hurt while celebrating his double century. Cameron Green also hurt his finger and went off the field.
Alex Carey scored his maiden Test century while Green remained not out as Australia declared their innings on 575 for 8. Pat Cummins got the early breakthrough dismissing South African captain Dean Elgar without opening his account.
Souvenir from Davey’s 100th 😂 @davidwarner31 pic.twitter.com/pp7yV3X1Br
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) December 29, 2022
Australia wrap up the series 2-0
Despite some decent partnerships by South African batters, Australia kept picking wickets at regular intervals bowling them out for 204. Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings taking 3 for 58 while Starc, Cummins, and Steve Smith took 1 wicket each. Scott Boland grabbed 2 wickets while 2 South African players were involved in run-outs.
Australia registered thumping innings and 182 run win. With this win, Pat Cummins and Co are one step closer to reaching the 2021/23 ICC Test Championship finals. Australia registered their first series win on Australian soil against South Africa after a gap of 16 years.
For his 200, David Warner was awarded the player of the match. Australia dominated right from the word go after opting to field on the first day.
Here are some of the reactions:
A fitting end to a stellar year for Australian sports 👏🏻 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/xNRM2rV3wq
— Anika Wells MP (@AnikaWells) December 29, 2022
Aussies have taken out the series over South Africa winning 2nd test by an innings & 182 runs 🇦🇺🏏👏👏👏 #AUSvSA @cricketcomau
This is Australia’s 1st home series win over South Africa in over 15 years
Player of match @davidwarner31
— Sports Results/News (@sportsresnews) 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
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
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
The best way to finish this MCG test match, Great tribute to Legend ❤🙏#AUSvSA https://t.co/tQmBb6ETTl
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) December 29, 2022
Australia's impressive victory over South Africa
When the going gets tough, David Warner gets going. A dream 100th Test for him#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/tGiZAi7bip— rana adeel (@ranaade94542539) December 29, 2022
Australia beat South Africa and won the test series by 2-0. Complete dominating performance by Aussie. Australia won the 2nd test match by an innings & 182 runs.#AUSvSA #SteveSmith
— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 29, 2022
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