AUS VS SA 2ND TEST

Right then, that is it from the second Test and Australia have dominated yet again to seal the series. South Africa, on the other hand have fallen to third place in the World Test Championship standings, and they will need to win the third Test to rectify their position. The third Test will start on 4th of January at 5 am IST (11.30 pm GMT, previous day) at the Sydney Cricket Ground. As you know, our build-up will begin much earlier so do join us for the same. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

Pat Cummins, the victorious skipper says that he is proud of his team and to win against South Africa is a bit more special as they haven't won against them at home for a long time. Adds that Warner and Smith batted really well in the heat and also credits Starc and Green to perform regardless of their injuries. Mentions that Warner was up for this game and to score 200 in his 100th Test is awesome. Tells that Carey did really well to get his maiden Test hundred in a Boxing Day Test. Ends by saying the Lyon just wounded himself but will be available for the next game and says that this win is a bit more special because of Shane Warne.

Dean Elgar, the captain of South Africa in for a chat. He says that this loss is not easy at the moment. Adds that they haven't been upto speed with their game. Mentions that it is the inexperience in the batting line-up that has started to hurt them a lot now. Although, says that this is a great chance for the youngsters to steal their spot here. Informs they need to move on very quickly as they final test is around the corner.

David Warner wins the Man of the Match award for his sensational knock of 200 runs. He says that it is a phenomenal achievement to win this Boxing Day Test and seal the series. Adds that they just wanted provide entertainment to the fans that came out in numbers and credits Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey for their performances. Mentions that this knock will be a special one for him and tells that he is feeling fit and the aim is play in the World Cup next year.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Mitchell Starc is in for a quick chat. He says that this is a big win for them. Adds that it was nice to contribute to the team but tells that he will be out of action for a few weeks. Mentions that he wants to come back for the Indian tour but will have to assess the injury more. Credits David Warner for his double century and jokingly says that he is the first man to score a 200 and get out on the first ball. Also, credits Alex Carey for his hundred and ends by saying that it was a great win.

Australia lost an early wicket in the form Usman Khawaja but that did not stop them from harming the opposition in any way or form as David Warner stabled the ship alongwith Marnus Labuschagne with a stand of 54 runs. The latter gave away his wicket through a run-out to keep Warner at the crease on his 100th Test match. Warner made sure he makes this innings count and boy, he did it by racking up a double-century after going through a lean patch in the Test format recently. Steven Smith supported him well but fell out on 85 runs. Later, Alex Carey smacked his maiden ton to add on to the misery of the Proteas. Travis Head and Cameron Green also played a valuable knock and chipped in with half-centuries. The latter though played through a lot of pain as he injured his finger and sat out during South Africa's second innings with the blade. Eventually, Australia ended up posting 575 on the board which turned out to be too much for the Proteas.

It all began when Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl first once again in this series. Everyone was hoping for the wicket to be a batting friendly one but with the rain predicted over the course of this Test match Cummins agreed on a questionable decision. Although, his bowlers backed him really well and bundled out South Africa for 189 runs. Once again Australia were able to keep the Proteas under the 200-run mark which raises a lot of questions about the visitors batting strength at the moment. Except Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen no one else could turn up with the blade for them. For the Aussies though it was Cameron Green who turned on the heat with the ball in the first innings with his five-wicket haul.

This has been a solid bowling performance by Australia. They never let the South Africa breathe easily at the crease. The pair of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins caused a lot of problems with the new ball in hand, while the former showed some great determination to bowl well with an injured finger. These two bowlers returned with a wicket each. Scott Boland chipped in with a couple. Although, it was the GOAT, Nathan Lyon who came to the party in the post-Lunch session on Day 4 to take a three-fer while Steven Smith took the final wicket to put this game to bed. Pat Cummins would be very happy with the way his boys have backed his decision throughout this Test match.

South Africa came to bat in the final session on Day 3 with the deficit being 386 runs. This was always going to be an uphill task for the Proteas looking at current form with the blade in hand. They could only face 7 overs on the moving day as the rain forced the umpires to call for stumps early. Although, it might've been a relief for them as they were already a man down. In the morning session on Day 4, Sarel Erwee and Theunis de Bruyn started well and were being solid in their defense from the get go. They built a stubborn stand of 47 runs off 94 deliveries but they lost both the batters in quick succession. Soon, Khaya Zondo had to head to back to the dressing room due to a run out. Temba Bavuma kept one end intact but saw quite a few wickets fall at the other end, as he smacked a half-ton. Although, he was a part of two run outs in the middle which eventually put him under a lot of pressure and he slipped out. Later on, none of the tail-enders could whack their tails for long and the Proteas bundled out for 204 runs.

Australia seal the series 2-0 with a convincing win over the Proteas at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by an innings and 182 runs. It has been one-way traffic throughout this Test match and Australia have certainly outclassed their opponents here.

OUT! TIMBER! Steven Smith gets the last wicket! That is that then from this Test! It is a fitting end as a leg-spinner finishes the game for Australia. Smith loops this up above the eye-line of the batter, on leg, Lungi Ngidi goes for the big heave, but plays all around it as the ball turns in from outside leg to rattle the off pole. A ball Shane Warne would have been proud of. Australian players are delighted and the handshakes are going on in the middle. Australia win by an innings and 182 runs to seal the series!

Flighted, full and on off, Lungi Ngidi leans on and blocks it out.

Flatter, full and on off, Anrich Nortje reverse sweeps it uppishly but just past the slip as Warner dives to his left. The batters get a run as Warner picks up and throws towards the keeper where Alex Carey misses it and the ball hits Marnus Labuschagne at short leg.

DROPPED! This is floated, full and on middle, Anrich Nortje looks to cut it but gets na outside edge towards slip where David Warner spills it out.

Tossed up, full and on off, Lungi Ngidi drives it towards long off for a single.

Another dot as this full delivery is reverse swept towards short third man again.