Dean Elgar’s weary South Africa face a difficult task to avoid a big defeat in the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with two days of play remaining.
South Africa yesterday reached 15-1 in their second innings at stumps, still requiring 371 more runs to make Australia bat again. Given that South Africa have failed to score 200 in its previous three innings in this series, and their leading batsman and captain Elgar is already back in the sheds, the odds are against the touring team.
Only seven overs were bowled in the evening session before rain interrupted play, sparing South Africa further misery on day three.
Photo: AFP
South Africa had lost Elgar for a duck in the second over as rival captain Pat Cummins struck a key blow, removing the left-hander caught behind off the glove.
Theunis de Bruyn, dropped at slip on 3, is not out on 6 with Sarel Erwee on 7.
Resuming yesterday on 386-3, Australia declared at tea on 575-8 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 189.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey scored his maiden Test century for Australia, hitting 13 boundaries in his tally of 111. Carey and Cameron Green (51 not out), who showed admirable composure against the short ball despite nursing a broken finger, shared a century stand for the eighth wicket.
“I probably came out at a good moment when the bowlers were probably pretty tired,” Carey said.
He said it was a special moment to have his good friend Green at the crease when he reached his maiden century.
“To see him throw his arms out meant a lot to me. We’ve formed a really good relationship on the field, but also off the field,” Carey said. “It was huge courage from him.”
South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said South Africa’s only hope to save the match would be to “bat time.”
“We take it hour by hour. If we can bat two days, that would be brilliant,” he said.
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