Australia flatten South Africa to win first home Test series against Proteas since 2006

Australia secured their first Test series victory against South Africa at home in 17 years after Pat Cummins’ side comprehensively beat the visitors by an innings and 182 runs in the boxing day Test in Melbourne. The Proteas produced another shocking performance with the bat at the MCG and were steamrolled by the hosts to suffer their fourth consecutive Test defeat and end their impressive streak of three Test series wins down under.

After losing within two days in the first Test at Brisbane, the Proteas’ struggles continued in Melbourne as Australia crushed the visitors with both bat and ball. Dean Elgar’s side were dismissed for just 189 on day one after being sent into bat before David Warner led the hosts to a mammoth total of 575 for eight. The left-hander notched up a majestic double century in his 100th Test match, while Alex Carey scored his maiden ton in whites to give Australia a 386-run first-innings lead.

South Africa required a miracle to stand any chance of saving the Test match after their first-innings showing and although the Australians showcased that it was a brilliant pitch to bat on, the Proteas folded without much resistance. The captain Dean Elgar departed on the third evening for a duck before the rest of the South African batters fell like a pack of cards on day four.

Overnight batters Sarel Erwee and Theunis de Bruyn showcased some fight against the new ball on the fourth morning, but Mitchell Starc produced the first breakthrough of the day. The left-armer’s searing yorker smashed into the boot of Erwee, who departed for 21. Scott Boland removed de Bruyn three overs later with a peach of a delivery that caught the edge and flew to Smith at second slip. The tourists’ troubles worsened when Khaya Zondo was run-out by a direct hit from Travis Head, leaving them struggling at 65 for four.

Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne temporarily stopped the flow of wickets with a half-century partnership in just 70 deliveries, but Boland removed the wicketkeeper after Lunch with an inswinger. Nathan Lyon chipped in with two wickets, while Keshav Maharaj was dismissed by another run-out that summed up their tour.

Bavuma added a fighting 65 that helped the Proteas end their unwanted streak of seven consecutive innings of being bowled out for less than 200, but South Africa still managed just a paltry 204 as Steve Smith picked up the final wicket to secure the 2-0 series victory for the hosts.

Australia’s win cements their place at number one in the World Test Championship final table, while South Africa’s back-to-back defeats see them fall below Sri Lanka to number four in the standings.