The Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa got off to an exciting start at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when the home team ran through the top order and reduced the visitors to five down before lunch. The wicket-takers were Mitchell Starc with two, Scott Boland with one, and Cameron Green with one.
The South Africa captain Dean Elgar’s miraculous survival from Boland’s delivery resulting in Nathan Lyon’s Christmas sledging, has, however, been the talk of the first two sessions. However, the batter’s retort to it was pure gold.
It occurred on the first ball of the inning’s 13th over. Elgar blocked a back-of-a-length delivery from Boland by positioning himself close to his feet. The stumps were struck by the ball as it rolled back, but the bails remained in place. While South Africa had already lost opener Sarel Erwee in the 11th over for just 18 runs, Elgar overcame an early scare and could have been Boland’s second victim.
When Boland was bowling, Lyon, who was positioned at point, approached Elgar and said, “I reckon that’s your Santa present….That’s Santa coming late I reckon”. Elgar hit back saying, “I’ve been a good boy”.
“Never. You’re never on the good list,” Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh, who was commentating on air, reacted to the sledging.
Here is Nathan Lyon and Dean Elgar’s video
"He's been a good boy!"
Fortune for Dean Elgar #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/o4gUrixOQl
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2022
Soon after, Elgar scored a boundary of a Boland delivery to reach the landmark of 5000 Test runs. He was, unfortunately, run out a few overs later after having a brain-fade moment, returning with just 26 of 68 deliveries.
At the end of the first session, South Africa managed 58 runs and lost four wickets. The Proteas reached 117 for five before lunch thanks to a steady fifty-run stand put together by Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen off 100 deliveries. South Africa is attempting to tie the series after falling short by six wickets in the two-day match that served as the series opener in Gabba.
