adminMELBOURNE. — South Africa lost opener Dean Elgar as Australia held a commanding lead with South Africa on 15 for one before rain ended play on day three of the second Test cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.
South Africa trail by 371 runs as the hosts need a win to clinch the three-match Test series with next week’s Sydney test remaining.
After Australia declared on 575 for eight at tea, skipper Elgar got a glove on the legside off Pat Cummins for a duck, which was sent upstairs.
Theunis de Bruyn edged behind to David Warner at first slip and was dropped off the bowling of Starc for three.
However, rain halted play as Sarel Erwee (7*) and De Bruyn (6*) will resume on day four, with the Proteas in need of some batting masterclass.
Earlier in the day, South Africa picked up four wickets in the morning session, and it resulted in a brief collapse, which saw three wickets fall in six balls.
Australia resumed the day on 386 for three with Travis Head and Carey following a sweltering innings of 200 not out from Warner in his 100th Test on day two.
Allrounder Cameron Green and Carey put on a 117-run partnership despite the flurry of wickets courtesy of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada.
Travis Head was the first wicket of the day to fall as he was bowled by a full delivery from Nortje for 51 off 55 balls (hitting seven fours and a six).
Warner retired hurt with a cramp after making his third Test double ton, but he resumed his innings when Head was out.
However, Warner didn’t last long as he attempted to work Nortje off his pads but missed the ball entirely and was bowled out for 200 off 255 balls (hitting 16 fours and two sixes).
Rabada sprang into action as he got skipper Cummins to edge behind to the keeper, which was first given not out by on-field umpires.
South Africa sent it upstairs, and replays showed a little noise as Cummins departed for four.
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey reached his maiden Test century as Australia dominated ”moving day” at a cloudy MCG.
Carey reached triple figures for the first time in his 14th Test as he made a superb 111 off 149 balls (hitting 13 fours) before he was caught and bowled by Marco Jansen.
Australia lead 1-0 and require a win to clinch the three-match Test series.
Meanwhile, Proteas fast bowling coach Charl Langeveldt says that despite not bowling Australia out in their second innings, he commended his bowling unit as South Africa face defeat in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Proteas struggled to bundle Australia out after the hosts declared on 575 for eight at tea yesterday.
South Africa replied with 15-1, losing skipper Dean Elgar for a duck, as the tourists trail by 371 runs following day three at a cloudy Melbourne.
Langeveldt believes that the Proteas batters can deliver as they hope to avoid a Test series defeat.
“I think it’s just to bat time and take it hour by hour and then just try and get runs. Bat for some time and see where it goes for us. If we can bat for two days, that will be brilliant,” Langeveldt told reporters yesterday.
The Proteas only captured five wickets on day three as Carey brought up his maiden Test century.
Anrich Nortje was the pick of the South African bowlers ending on 3-92 in his 25 overs, with Rabada capturing 2-144 in his 28 overs.
“It has been a tough three days for us as a bowling unit,” admitted Langeveldt.
“We probably didn’t start well on day one and then the next day, it was kind of rewarding, the guys put in their effort. Especially Anrich bowled with a lot of heat, and the only problem is just our control.
“It’s something that we need to speak about and something we can improve, but being a young bowling attack, it is not an excuse, they’ve played a few Tests together.
“It’s just being able to control the run rate for longer periods. But I was happy with the enthusiasm the guys showed. I think they were brilliant, you can’t fault them.”
Proteas will look to bat to save the Test series with Sarel Erwee (7*) and Theunis De Bruyn (6*) in the middle. — AFP.
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