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David Warner’s first red-ball century in nearly three years has powered Australia to a 42-run lead over a lackluster South Africa within the Boxing Day Take a look at on the MCG.
Warner put a poor 2022 behind him, racing to an unbeaten 135 as Australia flew previous the Proteas’ first-innings complete of 189 and reached 2-231 by tea on day two.
The veteran opener picked the proper match to return to type, changing into the second Australian after Ricky Ponting in 2006 to attain a century in his 100th Take a look at.
Warner entered the match beneath excessive stress after averaging simply 20.61 this yr, however he was in a position to produce a trademark innings for his 25th Take a look at century and first since January 2020 in opposition to New Zealand.
The 36-year-old and fellow Australian nice Steve Smith (60 no) have placed on a 156-run partnership to pile extra distress upon South Africa in scorching circumstances.
The Proteas, who were demolished in two days at the Gabba last week, are heading for their first Test series loss in Australia since 2005-06 after succeeding in their previous three trips down under.
South Africa’s inexperienced batting line-up has not given their fearsome pace attack of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen anywhere near enough runs to defend.
Smith was fortunate to still be batting at lunch after being dropped by Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne on nine.
South Africa’s giant left-armer Marco Jansen got Australia’s No.4 to deflect a ball off his glove, but Verreynne was unable to hang onto a diving catch to his left.
Verreynne, who scored a vital 52 on Monday to add to an impressive 64 in Brisbane, put down a regulation catch off Warner on 122.
The only wicket of the day fell in the first session when Marnus Labuschagne was run-out for the fifth time in his 32-Test career.
The world’s No.1-ranked batsman departed for 14 after a stop-start mix-up between the wickets with Warner.
The pair set off for an overthrow run after South Africa returned the ball past Verreynne behind the stumps.
But Labuschagne made the mistake of stopping for a split second, before trying to complete the extra run, and was caught well short.
A rare bright spot for the Proteas was fiery quick Anrich Nortje regularly bowling deliveries clocking more than 150km/h.
However, Nortje was involved in a bizarre incident when the host broadcaster’s spider cam collided with him.
Nortje was knocked over by the hit from the camera but was not hurt and he continued to field.
Centuries in 100th Test
- Colin Cowdrey (Eng) 104 v Australia, 1968
- Javed Miandad (Pak) 145 v India, 1989
- Gordon Greenidge (WI) 149 v England, 1990
- Alec Stewart (Eng) 105 v West Indies, 2000
- Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pak) 184 v India, 2005
- Ricky Ponting (Aus) 120 and 143* v South Africa, 2006
- Graeme Smith (SA) 131 v England, 2012
- Hashim Amla (SA) 134 v Sri Lanka, 2017
- Joe Root (Eng) 218 ​​v India, 2021
- David Warner (Aus) — v South Africa, 2022
-AAP
