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Australia is inside putting distance of its first Take a look at sequence win in opposition to South Africa on house soil in 17 years after carrying down the deflated Proteas on the MCG.
South Africa will resume on Thursday at 1-15, nonetheless requiring one other 371 to make Australia bat once more within the Boxing Day Take a look at.
The Proteas, who’ve been bowled out for lower than 200 seven straight instances, misplaced Dean Elgar for a duck within the second over to his opposing captain Pat Cummins.
Australia declared at 8-575 – the sixth-highest innings whole on the MCG – giving it a first-innings lead of 386.
Stumps had been referred to as early after rain stopped play within the closing session, with day 4 beginning 30 minutes earlier to make up for misplaced time.
Australia has arguably been much more dominant on the MCG than in Brisbane final week when it crushed South Africa in two days to open the three-Take a look at sequence.
The day belonged to Alex Carey after the No.7 produced a chanceless knock after beginning Wednesday on 9, citing his first Take a look at ton from solely 133 balls.
The 31-year-old joined the late Rod Marsh, who died in March, as the one different wicketkeeper to attain a Take a look at century on the MCG.
Carey was out for 111 simply earlier than tea, hitting a simple caught-and-bowled alternative to massive Proteas paceman Marco Jansen.
“On a wicket the place it is going to be robust to take these subsequent 9 wickets, it was essential for us to construct as large a lead as doable, let the bowlers put their toes up for slightly bit,” Carey mentioned.
Cummins introduced the innings to an finish when Mitchell Starc was hit on the helmet by a bouncer.
Injured all-rounder Cameron Inexperienced surprisingly got here out to bat, regardless of already being ruled out of the next Test with a fractured finger and Australia boasting a commanding lead.
The 23-year-old, who was purchased for $3.15 million in final week’s IPL public sale, completed unbeaten on 51, even after struggling early in his innings.
He had retired damage after copping a blow to his finger whereas batting on Tuesday and won’t bowl once more throughout this match.
Starc, who’s managing a finger harm of his personal, joined Inexperienced out within the center after Carey’s dismissal.
Inexperienced’s absence with the ball is a significant blow after his first five-wicket Take a look at haul on Monday to rout South Africa for 189.
The in-form Australia assault shall be depleted for the Proteas’ second innings, however Starc nonetheless opened the bowling regardless that he is understood to be unsure for the New Yr’s Take a look at on the SCG.
“I am actually excited by the best way Starcy’s bowling with that finger,” Carey mentioned.
“He got here in and bowled mid-140s and swung it, so perhaps it is a good factor he has slightly nick within the digit.
“The way in which he is bowling, I haven’t got too many issues for this match.”
Earlier, Proteas paceman Anrich Nortje (3-92) was on a hat-trick when he bowled Travis Head (51) and double-century maker David Warner in consecutive balls in overcast situations.
Cummins was capable of hold out the hat-trick ball, however fell to Kagiso Rabada (2-144) two balls later.
After retiring damage with warmth stress and cramps on Tuesday, a weary Warner (200) returned to the crease however lasted only one ball earlier than Nortje skittled his stumps.
Warner had survived Nortje’s day-two barrage, which the veteran opener referred to as the quickest spell he has confronted, within the warmth to turn into the second Australian after Ricky Ponting to attain a century of their 100th Take a look at.
-AAP
