Second Test, Day 3: Stumps, Australia vs. South Africa After Alex Carey’s century, Australia hopes to beat South Africa

Alex Carey first century put Australia in a commanding position to win the second test match and the series against South Africa on Wednesday. This put Australia closer than ever before to claiming victory in both matches.

After South Africa were bowled out in their first innings for 189 runs, the home team proclaimed victory at tea on day three with a score of 575-8 and an alarming advantage of 386 runs.

At the time that play was called off due to heavy precipitation at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Proteas were leading their opposition 15-1 in their reply.

Their attempt to save the Test and the three-match series after losing the first match in Brisbane got off to a terrible start when their skipper, who was under a lot of pressure, was caught by Alex Carey off Pat Cummins without scoring in the second over. This ended their hopes of winning the Test and the series.

David Warner did not include Theunis de Bruyn in his three-man bowling attack, therefore he did not bowl out six alongside Sarel Erwee on seven.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who was participating in his 14th Test match, was outstanding as he made his way to three figures for the first time before being dismissed for 111 by Marco Jansen caught and bowled.

Cameron Green, who was still in the game despite having a fractured finger, was not out on 51 when the declaration was made, and Mitchell Starc was on 10.

After South Africa gave themselves a ray of hope with early wickets, including David Warner first ball after he began the game on 200, Carey and Green heaped on the pain with a 117-run partnership that added to the misery of the situation.

After Warner’s superhuman unbeaten double century on the second day of the match in the gruelling heat of the 100th test, Australia began their innings with a score of 386-3, with Travis Head on 48 and Carey on nine.

After making his third Test double century, the experienced opener had to retire due to severe cramping and exhaustion. However, he returned to the crease when Head was out for 51 and walked out to loud acclaim when he did so.

Before the game began, he reported to the host broadcaster Fox that he had a “difficult night’s sleep.”

“I probably woke up six or seven times,” he continued before he was dismissed first ball by a yorker delivered by Anrich Nortje. At that point, Australia had lost three wickets for a total of five runs.

Temperatures were significantly lower than Tuesday’s high of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and the weather was cloudy and humid, which were conditions that were typically favourable to the bowlers.

Anrich Nortje, who is always a threat, capitalised on the opportunity by bowled Head in the third over and then catching Warner off the following ball while he was confused.

Pat Cummins was able to prevent the delivery of the hat trick, but he did not last for very long.

The wicket of the Australian captain was taken by the third ball he faced after South Africa won a review of a caught behind verdict off of Kagiso Rabada’s bowling that had been first turned down by the umpire.

Nathan Lyon soon joined Carey, and the two of them were able to restore order to the vessel.

Before holing out to Khaya Zondo off Lungi Ngidi, Lyon made an entertaining 25 before losing the hole.

Green, who had taken 5-27 in South Africa’s first innings, was ruled out of bowling again in Melbourne — and the third Sydney Test — with a fractured finger, but he bravely came out to bat anyway. Green’s performance in the first innings of South Africa’s match was highlighted by the fact that he had taken 5-27.

After a sluggish beginning, he began playing his shots in an admirable supporting position to Carey, who counter-attacked after the early wickets fell to consolidate Australia’s advantage. Carey’s performance was admirable.