Australia thrash South Africa by innings and 182 runs to seal series
- Having won last three test series in Australia, South Africa’s proud record lay in smoking ruins on Thursday as hosts wrap up series with a match to spare
- ‘I must say it’s a bit of a hammering,’ says Proteas captain Dean Elgar – ‘We haven’t been up to speed with the kind of intensity that test cricket demands’
A depleted Australian attack secured an innings and 182-run victory over South Africa in the second test on Thursday, wrapping up the series with a match to spare after the visitors’ batting woes were rudely exposed once more.
Needing 386 runs to make Australia bat again after the hosts had declared on a mammoth 575 for eight, the Proteas were bowled out for 204, with two farcical run-outs hastening their demise before tea on day four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia’s win, their fourth in successive tests in the home summer, shored up top spot in the World Test Championship, while underlining their No 1 ranking in the format.
With all-rounder Cameron Green unable to bowl and Mitchell Starc with an injured middle finger on his bowling hand, Australia showed plenty of grit.
“That’s really sweet, super proud of how we kind of ‘gutsed’ it out at times,” captain Pat Cummins said at the post-match presentation.