Australia head to head South Africa: Second Test Match 2022

Match: Australia head to head South Africa | Second Test Match 2022

Dates: 26th December 2022 – 30th December 2022

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

Australia vs South Africa Playing XI Teams

South Africa’s Playing XI:

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

Australia’s Playing XI:

Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon

The first day of the second test match between South Africa and Australia was dominated by the Australian bowlers who bundled out the visitors for only 189 runs. Cameron Green was the star from the bowling line up as he picked up 5 wickets on the Boxing Day.

Australia vs South Africa – Toss:

Australian Captain Pat Cummins had won the toss and decided to put South Africans in to bat. It was a surprise call for many as the surface looked good for batting at the MCG. However, a recent slump in form of the South Africans was the reason behind the decision.

Australia vs South Africa – As it Happened:

Australia had decided to put South Africa into bat on the first morning of the boxing day test match. The Australian bowlers started well. They were right on the money from the first ball. They bowled good lines and lengths, without giving much to the South African batters. South African openers started cautiously.

They did not want to crumble like the first test and blocked most of the balls in the first half an hour. Scott Boland was brought into bowl as the first change and he picked up a wicket in his first over.

Australia head to head South Africa: Second Test Match 2022

Boland got one to move away from Sarel Erwee who tried to drive the full ball. The ball took an outside edge and went straight to Usman Khawaja in the slips. South Africa were 29/1. Thomas De Bruyn walked in to bat at number 3 for South Africa.

He and Elgar batted for the next few overs as South Africa went to 56/1. However, Cameron Green had Bruyn caught behind for 12. Soon after that, Dean Elgar was run-out and South Africa were 58/3.

Temba Bavuma also got out at the same score as South Africa slipped from 56/1 to 58/4. Thus, losing three wickets for 2 runs. Khaya Zondo also got out for only 5 as South Africa found themselves in a hole at 67/5.

The only resistance from the South Africa batters came from Marco Jansen and Kyle Verreynne. The keeper and the bowler got a half century each and took the score to 179 with a 112-run partnership. Verreynne got out for 52 while Jansen made 59.

Australia’s Bowing against South Africa:

Australia head to head South Africa: Second Test Match 2022

South Africa got all out for 189 runs. Cameron Green was the top performer with 5 wickets. Mitchell Starc also picked up 2 wickets while Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon picked up one wicket apiece.

Australia’s 1st Innings:

In their response to South Africa’s first innings score of 189, Australia made 45/1 before the end of play on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test match. David Warner was not out on 32 while Marnus was batting at 5. Usman Khawaja got out for 1 run. Australia still trail by 144 runs.

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Australia head to head South Africa: Second Test Match 2022