Australia
Stumps
South Africa
| 1/45 Australia trail South Africa by 144 runs with 9 wickets remaining |
| 0/7 (1.0) | *Nortje | O: 12.0 | Labuschagne* | 5 (12) |
| 0/8 (3.0) | Jansen | RR:3.21 | Warner | 32 (51) |
| c. Verreynne b. Rabada |  | 6.4 1/21 |  | Khawaja 1(11) |
| First Innings: South Africa | 189 all out | RR: 2.38 | O: 68.4 |
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| First Innings: South Africa | 189 all out | RR: 2.38 | O: 68.4 |
|---|
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D. Elgar* run out (Labuschagne) | 26 | 68 | 2 | 0 | 38.24 |
S.J. Erwee c. Khawaja b. Boland | 18 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 58.06 |
T.B. de Bruyn c. Carey b. Green | 12 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 38.71 |
T. Bavuma c. Carey b. Starc | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 12.50 |
K. Zondo c. Labuschagne b. Starc | 5 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 26.32 |
K. Verreynne+ c. Smith b. Green | 52 | 99 | 3 | 0 | 52.53 |
M. Jansen c. Carey b. Green | 59 | 136 | 10 | 0 | 43.38 |
K.A. Maharaj c. Cummins b. Lyon | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 22.22 |
K.S. Rabada b. Green | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
A. Nortje not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
L. Ngidi b. Green | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
Extras (b 3, lb 3, w 0, nb 1) | 7 | ||||
| Total | 189 | ||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Ec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. Starc | 13.0 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 3.00 |
| P.J. Cummins | 14.0 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 2.14 |
| S.M. Boland | 14.0 | 2 | 34 | 1 | 2.43 |
| N.M. Lyon | 17.0 | 3 | 53 | 1 | 3.12 |
| C.D. Green | 10.4 | 3 | 27 | 5 | 2.53 |
| First Innings: Australia | 1/45 | RR: 3.21 | O: 12.0 |
|---|
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D.A. Warner not out | 32 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 62.75 |
U.T. Khawaja c. Verreynne b. Rabada | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 9.09 |
M. Labuschagne not out | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 41.67 |
S.P.D. Smith | |||||
T.M. Head | |||||
C.D. Green | |||||
A.T. Carey+ | |||||
P.J. Cummins* | |||||
M.A. Starc | |||||
N.M. Lyon | |||||
S.M. Boland | |||||
Extras (b 0, lb 5, w 0, nb 2) | 7 | ||||
| Total | 45 | ||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Ec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K.S. Rabada | 5.0 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 4.80 |
| L. Ngidi | 3.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.33 |
| M. Jansen | 3.0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2.67 |
| A. Nortje | 1.0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 |
After a resounding Australia victory over South Africa in Brisbane, the two teams meet again at the MCG in Melbourne for the traditional Boxing Day Test. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:30am (AEDT).
After the controversy around what was a substandard pitch at the Gabba, the two teams gather in Melbourne for one of the biggest days in Australian sport, hoping for a wicket that creates a far more interesting contest and an extended and competitive match.
Both bowling attacks looked good for long periods in Brisbane. Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon were brilliant at times and Kagiso Rabada led the tourist’s attack well, ably supported by the impressive Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen.
Sadly, neither batting line-up was able to fire, with Travis Head playing what proved to be a match-winning innings for the Aussies. South Africa crumbled early on day one before responding gallantly, yet as the surface began to do unusual things, the weaknesses with the blade that were widely discussed in the lead-up to the Test were exposed.
There was enough evidence to suggest that both teams have the weapons to take 20 wickets in even better conditions, and the Australian batting appears likely to be the deciding factor leading into a match where the surface will be under intense scrutiny. Last year’s Boxing Day Test was also a very short affair, and the rather underwhelming summer thus far necessitates a much better game of cricket this time around.
In what appears an example of natural justice, the in-form Scott Boland will play for Australia, with Josh Hazlewood stepping aside on Christmas Day and allowing the Victorian to recommence his love affair with the MCG. Otherwise, the Australians will remain unchanged, and it appears likely South Africa will also back the bulk of the team that played in Brisbane.
Behind closed doors, the visitors appear to have written the Test off as an aberration, considering the poor wicket and plan to actually begin their series in front of a noisy and celebratory Boxing Day crowd in Melbourne.
Prediction
It remains unthinkable to tip against the Australians, yet South Africa did show the fight for which they are well known in the first Test. If the tourists can continue to expose David Warner at the top of the order and make consistent inroads into the Australian batting, they always stand a chance of the upset.
Yet the question remains: are they able to muster a first innings total large enough to put pressure on the locals?
Australia to win on the fourth morning.
Game information
Venue: MCG
First ball: 10:30am (AEDT)
TV: Fox Cricket, Channel 7
Streaming: Foxtel Go, Kayo Sports
Betting: Australia $1.33, draw $6.75, South Africa $5.25 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
South Africa
Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.
matth
Roar Guru
Yes, fairly early on. Saw it in the highlights package this morning. Not the Lyon drop. We actually dropped four, Cummins dropped a caught and bowled as well.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nothing written about it. I know Lyon dropped one off Green. This test?
matth
Roar Guru
Before a wicket had fallen, dropped a tough one off the left handed opener? Saw it in the highlights. It was a tough one, nothing like Khawaja’s drop.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
When?
matth
Roar Guru
To be fair Green dropped one off Cummins earlier in the day.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Love to see Morris it’s time to blood the new generation :thumbup:
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I really think if Aus are two up . they should give lance Morris a run and Hazelwood in for Boland . Just with India and england coming and starc injured this is a real oppurtunity to give a young guy key experience . same could be said for giving whiteman and renshaw a go at the top but I doubt the selectors will do it and warner may get some runs at McG and scg his preferred test grounds
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Now that Starc has a injured finger they might rest him plus Starc SCG record is poor of late.Allows Hazlewood to return.
nics
Roar Rookie
No Don. Do you have the memory of a goldfish? Shall we quote all your criticisms of Cummins’ bowling changes in previous tests which have been followed by regular wickets and a blessed silence from you? The egg is all on your face Don. This is probably my last response to you. I don’t waste more time than needed with t r 0lls
nics
Roar Rookie
Read what you wrote, and read what i wrote in this thread - where do i deride green for "not being good with the old ball"? One of us is honking mad, and its not me. Have a good day, and try to stay on topic.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sincere apologies for the incorrect wickets in the score. I had a small issue with the code being used. Enjoy day 2 and the hot weather forecasted could well make it a day to test the men in the field as well as the concenration of the batters. FInal Score Australia........................1/45 South Africa…………......186 Over………12
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Day 1 final scores Australia........................1/45 South Africa…………......186 Over………12
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You might like to read what you have written. You have egg on your face.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
We have already addressed that. He dismissed the heart of their batting. You are in full on goose mode.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
hazelwood will play scg I think . they will want to give him a run before India but I think selectors may begin to acknowledge they may interchange Hazelwood and Boland abroad in India and uk
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Australia did very well to stay no wickets down even after losing one.
nics
Roar Rookie
And when did I denigrate Green's performance? I only observed it through the lens you apply to Cummins' every action. Of course I'm glad you recognise how denigrating you have been Don. Take some time to reflect and do better.
Damon G
Guest
Like the optimism however Aussies Well in front. On a flat deck terrible batting display from the Proteas. They will need some quick wickets to get back into this game. Could be over by Lunch.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Exactly
nics
Roar Rookie
Read and think Don. You deride the NSW bowlers for being unable to take a 5-fer with an old ball. I note that one of Green’s 5 wickets is with a 19.2 over ball. Of course if you believe a ball of that age is an old ball, then perhaps you need to watch more cricket.