2nd Test: Australia thrash South Africa by innings and 182 runs to seal series | Cricket News

MELBOURNE: A depleted Australian offense secured an innings, 182-run win over South Africa in the second Test on Thursday, closing the series with a game to spare after the visitors’ batting woes were brutally exposed once again. more.
Needing 386 runs for Australia to beat again after the hosts declared on a mammoth 575 for eight, the Proteas were knocked out for 204, with two wacky outings hastening their demise before tea on day four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia’s victory, their fourth in successive Tests over the summer on home soil, cemented top spot in the World Test Championship, while underlining their number one ranking in the format.
With off-road cameron green unable to play boules and Mitchell Starc with an injured middle finger in the bowling hand, Australia showed great courage.

“It’s really nice, super proud of how we kind of ’emptied’ it at times,” captain Pat Cummins said during the post-game presentation.
“For Starcy to come out with a pretty big injury (and) a bowl like he did…really, really proud of this team.”

After winning the last three Test series in Australia, South Africa’s proud record in the country lay in ruins on Thursday.
It was their worst loss in Australia, eclipsing the innings and 163-run defeat at Brisbane in 1931.
Beaten by six wickets in the series opener in Brisbane, Dean Elgar’s side head into the third Test in Sydney with a host of problems and only pride on the line.

“It’s not easy right now,” Elgar said.
“I have to say it’s a bit of a hammering that. We haven’t been made aware of the kind of intensity that Test cricket requires.”
Temba Bavuma scored the Proteas’ only half-century in round two, but the pint-sized number four was something of a liability for his partners, knocking out Khaya Zondo for one and Keshav Maharaj for 13.
After Maharaj’s dismissal, Bavuma then edged a slog-sweep from spinner Nathan Lyon to be caught for 65, leaving South Africa 176 for eight and the tail exposed.
Lyon finished 3-58 for the innings, pacemaker Scott Boland taking two wickets.
David Warner was named Player of the Game for his epic 200 in scorching heat on day two.
Starc set the tone with a sizzling yorker that trapped Sarel Erwee lbw for 21 after South Africa took over on 15 for 1am.
“Nice way of doing it,” Starc said after the win.
“It’s been an interesting week on and off the court with a bit going on, but I think we’ve adapted batting and bowling to all the hurdles this week and it’s been a fantastic win.”