South Africa looked for every excuse under the sun in Brisbane, but in Melbourne, on Boxing Day, they were shown up completely.
A week after being rock and rolled inside two days and trounced by six wickets, Australia’s fourth quick, who had taken just two wickets in three Tests to start the summer, tore the Proteas apart of a glorious, sunny day in Melbourne.
After Dean Elgar lost the toss, the Proteas captain was asked to have a bat by his counterpart Pat Cummins.
Elgar said he was “surprised” by Cummins’ decision.
This, however, wasn’t a decision made lightly. It was calculated. They sensed more blood in the water and went after South Africa. It was an aggressive decision by Australia’s first fast-bowling captain in more than half-a-century.
After bowling South Africa out twice in two days at the Gabba, Cummins backed his men to repeat the dose on what looked like a day for batting.
The only thing is South Africa can’t bat.
For the third straight Test, the Proteas failed to reach 200 as the tourists were bowled out for 189.
As Neil Manthorpe had said between the Tests, “Statistically it’s the weakest South African batting line-up to leave South Africa for 90 years.” Indeed.
After collapsing to 5-67, the tourists finally found two men willing to wait around and scrap as Kyle Verreynne (52) and Marco Jansen (59) put on 112 for the sixth-wicket.
But Australia’s $3 million-man made the day Australia’s, as the 22-year-old all-rounder snicked off both men and finished the afternoon by taking his first five-wicket haul by bowling Lungi Ngidi.
It was a fine bowling display from Green, who up until Boxing Day had struggled to hit a length early in his spells this summer. But on Boxing Day, having taking an early scalp by removing first-drop Thenunis de Bruyn to a top edge, grew a leg and continued by pitching the ball up and making the tourists play.
Green’s afternoon delight was anything but for South Africa, who lost 5-10 in 24 balls to collapse to a sorry end.
Making matters worse, Kagiso Rabada failed to find a length, or perhaps waved the white flag, by preceding to drop short to David Warner.
Warner, who became the 13th Australian to play 100 Tests in Melbourne, licked his lips, repeatedly rocking back and smashing the outstanding quick through square leg to the boundary.
The left-hander raced to 32 by stumps as Australia finished 1-45 at stumps, with Marnus Labuschagne unbeaten on five.
Usman Khawaja (1) was the only man to go for Australia, as he was well caught by Verreynne off Rabada who finally pitched the ball up and was justly rewarded.
Earlier, Elgar hoped to put away the horrors of Brisbane by getting stuck in.
“Generally you want to bat first here, but I guess that’s his decision,” Elgar said at the toss after being asked to bat.
The left-hander would have been thrilled to get through the opening 10 overs without the loss of a wicket, but hometown hero Scott Boland struck early in his spell as he found Sarel Erwee’s outside edge and had to go for 18.
Theunis De Bruyn (12) joined Elgar and the duo managed to survive another 10 overs, before the first-drop attempted to smash Green from a slightly short ball but only managed to sky it and Alex Carey did the rest.
Then calamity struck as 1-56 turned into 4-58 at lunch as Elgar (26) pushed to cover and Marnus Labuschagne brilliantly ran him out. Next ball Temba Bavuma (1) edged Mitchell Starc behind.
Adam Gilchrist said Elgar had committed the “cardinal sin of cricket” by running himself out on the stroke of lunch and exposing the middle-order.
Ian Smith then summed it up.
“South Africa have given Australia three gifts in this session, three gifts they didn’t need,” he said.
A fifth wicket quickly came after lunch as Khaya Zondo threw his hands at a slightly overpitched delivery and was magnificently caught by Labuschagne to give Starc his second.
Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen fought hard but their hard work was undone by their teammates as Green finished with 5-27.
nics
Roar Rookie
I don't see the fuss. He'll probably be a very good player. However he has to earn the right to bat at 4 and start with the new ball on Test performance (and not what mum thinks he's doing in the nets). He's made a good start but the other bowlers have better claims for the new ball at present, before we even discuss eg Boland, Neser etc. Either that or we should just disregard averages and strike rates and chuck out everyone over 30.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I feared a backlash of Cam Green fans. They're a passionate lot
nics
Roar Rookie
Also - no need for the disclaimer. Only one poster here doesn't get irony and Cam and Ashton's mum is usually asleep at this time.
nics
Roar Rookie
Cummins would have taken more wickets if Green had given him more encouragement from gully - shocking team play from Green. ;)
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I just feel that Cummins could have taken more wickets if Green hadn't suppressed him, not to mention the spectre of Langer hanging over him. I hope Cummins can one day establish himself on the international scene *please note that these comments are intentionally facetious
The Late News
Roar Rookie
And Christy...you seem to write more that you edit. Just saying!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Another excellent days cricket. Giddy up Mr Green!!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
It's Christmas Cad...we were feeling generous and giving the MCG catering team and bar staff a chance of making a quid!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Yeah baby!!
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hell yeah and as much as Davey has copped it be great for him to also notch up a ton. Along with the remaining top 6 bats
Cadfael
Roar Guru
On Ian Smith's comments on gifts, the Saffas got mat least 5 with dropped or missed chances. Could have been rolled for much less.
Ja ja klazo
Guest
Really pleased for young Green. What a week for the man! Would love to now see him release the shackles and become the first Aussie for 60 odd years to take a 5fa and score a ton in the same test.