The Australian team is in a strong position on the ongoing Boxing-Day Test in Melbourne. They have taken a 371-run lead over South Africa in the third day’s play. Not only this, in the second innings South Africa has also been given the first blow.
At stumps on Wednesday, South Africa were 15 for one in their second innings. Sarel Ervi is unbeaten on 7 and Theunis De Bruyne is on 6 after stumps. While captain Dean Elgar returned to the pavilion without opening the account.
Captain Pat Cummins gave the first success to Australia. Earlier Australia declared their first innings at 575/8. While South Africa scored 189 runs in their first innings.
Injured David Warner could not score a run today
David Warner and Cameron Green, who retired hurt due to injury, also returned to the crease on the second day. Green scored a half-century (51 runs), but David Warner (200) could not add to his personal score.
He was bowled by Anrich Nortje. A day earlier, Warner injured himself while celebrating his double century. Anrich Nortya took 3 wickets in the first innings bowling for South Africa. While Kagiso Rabada got 2 successes. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen got one wicket each.
Fifty for Travis Head, Carey’s first century
Travis Head (51), who returned unbeaten on the second day, completed his 11th Test half-century. While Alex Carey (111 runs) scored their first Test century. He could only add 3 runs to his previous day’s score of 48.
He was bowled by Anrich Nortje. From the other end, Alex Carey extended his innings from 9 to 111 runs. Carey was caught and bowled by Marco Johnson.
David warner became the Third cricketer to play his 100th Test in Melbourne
Earlier, David Warner became the third cricketer after Lara and Ganguly to play his 100th Test as a Boxing Day Test. He is the 14th player to play 100 Tests for Australia.
Before the double century, Warner scored a century after 1089 days. This is Warner’s 25th Test century. Warner scored his last century on 3 January 2020 against New Zealand at the Sydney ground.
David Warner has completed 8,000 runs in his 100th Test. With this, he has become the 8th batsman to score the most runs for Australia. Before him, only 7 Australian batsmen have achieved this position in Test cricket.
Warner completed his 5,000 runs in Australia during an amazing inning in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. He has become the 5th Australian batsman after Ponting, Border, and Waugh brothers to do so.
At the beginning of the day, Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Kangaroo team is on a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. He won the first match by 6 wickets. The third and last match of the series will be played at the Sydney ground from January 4.