Australia's Alex Carey scored a maiden Test century against South Africa
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Carey century helps Australia close In on victory in the second South Africa Test
Australia are in a strong position to win second Test and series after Carey's maiden century against against South Africa.
Match Summary
Australia 575/8d (145 ov)
South Africa 189/10 (68.4 ov) & *15/1 (7 ov)
Day Break : Day 3 South Africa trail by 371 runs.
Day 3 at a glance
Australia declared on 575-8, leading South Africa by 386 runs After dismissing them for 189 in the first innings.
South Africa struggled to 15-1, in reply to Australia's 575-8, when play stopped early due to drizzle, at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
South Africa's efforts to salvage the 2nd Test and series after opening loss to Australia was derailed by Elgar's early dismissal by Pat Cummins.
De Bruyn and Erwee were the not out batters at the close with Warner dropping De Bruyn on 3.
Earlier, wicketkeeper Carey, played exceptionally well in his 14th Test match and scored his first century before being dismissed by Marco Jansen for 111.
At the declaration, Cameron Green, despite a fractured finger, was not out on 51 and Mitchell Starc was also not out on 10.
Alex Carey’s maiden Test century pushed Australia to an enormous lead before Pat Cummins ensured opposing skipper Dean Elgar’s torrid tour continued#AUSvSA https://t.co/vcSPe6BPuo
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2022
South Africa woes
When play resumed, Australia was at 386-3, with Travis Head on 48 runs and Carey on nine. Warner had put in an impressive, unbroken performance on the second day of the Test, scoring a double century in his 100th match, despite the challenging heat.
Warner suffering from severe cramps, retired from the game after scoring his third double century in Test matches. However, he returned to the crease after Head was dismissed for 51 runs, receiving a warm reception as he walked back onto the field.
Warner told host broadcaster Fox before play began that he had a "rough night's sleep".
"I probably woke up six or seven times," he added, and was bowled first ball by an Anrich Nortje yorker as Australia lost three wickets for five runs.
The weather was much cooler than it had been on Tuesday, with temperatures hovering around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit). The conditions were overcast and humid, which generally favoured the bowlers.
The formidable Anrich Nortje took advantage of the favourable conditions and dismissed Travis Head in the third over of play. He then managed to catch Warner off guard and dismiss him on the next delivery.
Pat Cummins was able to avoid being dismissed on the hat-trick delivery, but he did not remain in the game for much longer.
The Australian skipper fell to the third ball he faced when South Africa successfully reviewed a caught behind decision off Kagiso Rabada's bowling that was initially denied by the umpire.
Carey was joined by Nathan Lyon and they steadied the ship.
Lyon made an entertaining 25 before holing out to Khaya Zondo off Lungi Ngidi.
Ahead of play, it was announced that Green, who had taken 5 wickets in South Africa's first innings, would not be able to bowl again in the Melbourne Test or the third Test in Sydney due to a fractured finger. Despite this injury, Green courageously came out to bat.
After a slow start, Green began to play more aggressively in a supportive role to Carey, who took a more attacking approach after the early wickets fell in order to strengthen Australia's lead..
Carey and Green added to South Africa woes, as they formed a 117-run partnership, Carey became the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a century in a Test match since Brad Haddin in 2013, and only the second wicketkeeper to do so at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, following Rod Marsh..
Match Stats
South Africa First Innings : Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Sarel Erwee - 10.4 ov), 2-56 (Theunis de Bruyn - 19.6 ov), 3-58 (Dean Elgar - 22.5 ov), 4-58 (Temba Bavuma - 22.6 ov), 5-67 (Khaya Zondo - 28.3 ov), 6-179 (Kyle Verreynne - 64.5 ov), 7-182 (Marco Jansen - 66.1 ov), 8-186 (Kagiso Rabada - 66.6 ov), 9-186 (Keshav Maharaj - 67.3 ov), 10-189 (Lungi Ngidi - 68.4 ov)
Australia First Innings: Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Usman Khawaja - 6.4 ov), 2-75 (Marnus Labuschagne - 18.3 ov), 3-314 (Steven Smith - 74.1 ov), 4-395 (Travis Head - 93.3 ov), 5-395 (David Warner - 93.4 ov), 6-400 (Pat Cummins - 94.2 ov), 7-440 (Nathan Lyon - 100.6 ov), 8-557 (Alex Carey - 140.5 ov)
South Africa Second Innings: Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Dean Elgar - 1.3 ov)
Playing XIs
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon
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
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, December 25, 2022 23:30
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Toss: Australia won the toss & elected to field
Officials: Umpires:Paul Reiffel (Australia) Richard Kettleborough (England) Chris Gaffaney(New Zealand TV)
Match Referee Richie Richardson (West Indies)
© Cricket World 2022
