Australia and South Africa faced off in the second Test that kicked off on December 26, Monday and the Baggy Greens clinched an emphatic win on Day 4, Thursday, to take a 2-0 lead in the series with a match to go. The Australians ended the year on a high, with Pat Cummins and men putting on a show which could be called ‘majestic’. To add more to the match, the Proteas batted first after losing the toss, only to get bowled out for a meagre total of 189.
Much to the surprise of the Australian fans, the young sensation Cameron Green outclassed with his five-for, putting on a watch-worthy show, displaying poignance and spunk right throughout the innings. Australia, on the other hand, were off to a shaky start with Usman Khawaja making his way back to the dressing room after contributing 1 run and Marnus Labuschagne rushing back to the pavilion after a tangle in the middle with the opener David Warner.
Taking the burden, the southpaw put on a great show in his 100th Test match, reaching the 200-run mark and walking off the field after his trademark celebration forced him to pick a niggle. With Alex Carey making a valuable 111, the Australians declared at 575/8, taking a lead of 386.
South Africa’s debacle at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Trailing by a huge margin, the South African openers Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar marched on to the crease, with the hope to change things around and force the match to a draw. In all likelihood, fans opined that it was impossible, given the ball was helping the pacers and the form of Mitchell Starc and Cummins.
While Erwee lasted 41 balls, scoring 21 runs, only to cut out of a straight delivery from Starc to make it an LBW, the Proteas skipper, on the other hand, returned scoreless as he nicked the ball straight into the safe hands of Alex Carey off an unplayable peach from Cummins. Temba Bavuma steadied the innings and brought momentum back with his well-fought 65, but a three-for from ace spinner Nathan Lyon proved costly for the South Africans as they were mulled to the tiniest, eventually letting Australia take the win by an innings and 182 runs, post getting bowled out for 204.
As things stand, let us take a look at a few Twitter reactions to Australia’s mighty win against South Africa:
Very pleased with Australia’s crushing victory over South Africa in the Boxing Day Test. I think it’s our first home series win against SA since 2006. #AUSvSA
— Sorceror43 (@sorceror43) December 29, 2022
Wonder if we’ll get one test to actually go the distance and make it to 5 day this summer. #AUSvSA
— Shazz@ (@Lovely_Shazza) December 29, 2022
Might have to do some work now the #AUSvSA test is done
— Thunder Hill Estate (@thunderhillpd) December 29, 2022
Australia is almost unbeatable in Test at the moment..just champion stuff. #AUSvSA
— Ephraim Ghouri (@ghouriephraim5) December 29, 2022
Weldone Australia.
That was special series to win.
Congratulations @cricketcomau@patcummins30 @davidwarner31@stevesmith49#AUSvSA #2-0— Ishrat Fatima?? (@Ishrat154) December 29, 2022
SA folded before breakfast ????? #AUSvSA
— IPL Insider (@Cricket_Fantasy) December 29, 2022
Test cricket is just awesome ?? Australia dominating in the series till now… won't be surprised if they whitewash South Africa like England did to Pakistan. #AUSvsSA #AUSvSA
— Love for Cricket ? (@cricketislove76) December 29, 2022
Aussies won by an innings ??? whole innings #AUSvSA
— Andingomlomo ka Quinton ? (@ForeverBlackGal) December 29, 2022
