Australia thrash South Africa by innings & 182 runs to wrap up series, close in on WTC final spot

by IANS |

Melbourne, Dec 29 (IANS) Spinner Nathan Lyon claimed 3-58 while replacement-pacer Scott Boland bagged 2-49 as Australia bowled out South Africa for 204 in their second innings to hand the visitors an embarrassing innings and 182 runs defeat in the second Test and wrapped up the three-match series 2-0 on Thursday.

The win in four days follows their humiliating 6-wicket thrashing within two days at the hands of the hosts in the first Test at Brisbane. The third and final Test will be played in Sydney from January 4.

Australia have boosted their chances of appearing at next year's ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final and put a big dent in South Africa's hopes with a dominant victory over the Proteas in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Pat Cummins' side wrapped up the innings-and-182-run victory midway through the fourth day of the Test, with experienced spinner Lyon (3-58) and seamer Boland (2-49) doing the majority of the damage on Thursday to complete the MCG rout.

The victory sees Australia open up an insurmountable 2-0 series lead on the Proteas and helps them extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings.

South Africa resumed on the fourth day at 15/1 and needed a miracle to try and work their way back into the Test, with Temba Bavuma (65) and Kyle Verreynne (33) offering some brief resistance during a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket.

But Boland broke the partnership when he trapped Verreynne LBW and then Lyon wrapped up the tail to ensure Australia cruised to victory and yet another series triumph on home soil.

The 12 points Australia receives for the win takes them to 132 points from 14 matches this period, with their win percentage boosted to an impressive 78.57% following the victory, the ICC said in a report on its website.

It means Australia are well placed for a maiden appearance at the World Test Championship final at The Oval next year, with five Tests remaining this period (one against South Africa in Sydney and four in India during February and March) before the finalists are determined.

The top two teams qualify for the World Test Championship decider and South Africa's chances of earning one of those two spots are further diminished following a second consecutive disappointing performance on Australian shores.

The Proteas arrived in Australia in second place on the standings and with expectations high, but back-to-back losses have seen Dean Elgar's side slip to fourth on the updated table.

India hold on to the second spot on the standings with a 58.93% win percentage and Sri Lanka (53.33%) rise to third and in front of South Africa (50%) after the Proteas' efforts in Melbourne.

It was an abject surrender by South Africa at the MCG after they had suffered a humiliating defeat within two days in the first Test at the Gabba. That win was blamed on a "below-average" pitch in Brisbane, but their performance at the MCG could be hard to explain as they barely managed to cross 200 in their second innings.

Brief scores:

South Africa 189 & 204 all out in 68.5 overs (Temba Bavuma 65, Kyle Verreynne 33; Nathan Lyon 3-58, Scott Boland 2-49) lost to Australia 575/8 decl by innings and 182 runs.

Latest News
IPL 2024: 'Sai Kishore did not expect I will go after him off the first ball', says CSK's Shivam Dube Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:55 PM
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:49 PM
Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:42 PM
Chinese military offers help to Pakistan to curb terrorism Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:39 PM
Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate's 'bhao' jibe Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:36 PM
CPI tries to revive itself by launching ex-IPS officer in UP's Faizabad Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:29 PM
Mandya in Karnataka to witness mega clash between Kumaraswamy and Star Chandru Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:26 PM
I-T seizes unaccounted cash from Kolkata bizman's office Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:24 PM
Byju's EGM on rights issue ends sans objections, dissenting investors skip meet Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:12 PM
Anti-abuse provisions should not be used in receipt of capital from credible investors: Experts Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:09 PM
UP: Kamaal R Khan's brother to contest from Saharanpur on BSP ticket Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:59 PM
Pakistan: Alarm bells ring as judicial bodies gear up to protect their judges against 'targeted assault' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:50 PM
Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:46 PM
Stories come knocking, characters start whispering to me: Filmmaker Rima Das Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:45 PM
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:52 PM