Captain Pat Cummins has hailed his Australians as the best Test team he has been been involved with after securing a first home series win against South Africa in 17 years.
After smashing the Proteas in two days in the Gabba series opener, Australia were even more dominant in crushing South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
South Africa were dismissed for totals of 189 and 204 – the first time in eight innings the Proteas passed 200 – as Australia belted 8-(dec)575 following a career-saving 200 from David Warner and wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s first red-ball century.
South Africa succeeded on their previous three trips to Australia, saluting for the first time at Test level against their fierce rivals under Graeme Smith’s captaincy in 2008-09.
Ricky Ponting was the last Australian captain to win at home against South Africa back in 2005-06.
Australia last won against the Proteas in 2014 when they prevailed 2-1 during a classic series in South Africa.
“Yeah, probably the best Test team I’ve played in,” Cummins said of his Australians, who are one win away from securing their spot in the World Test Championship final.
“Just in terms of how well settled everyone is, how well everyone knows our game plan.
“In terms of captaining, I don’t have feel like I have to do much at all, everyone looks after themselves.
“Just in a really sweet spot at the moment, we know it’s not going to stay like this forever, but I think we can just all sit back and appreciate the place that we are in at the moment.”
Temba Bavuma (65) top-scored in South Africa’s second innings but the experienced No.5 was also responsible for two diabolical run-outs on Thursday.
Khaya Zondo (one) lost his wicket after Travis Head was quick to hit the stumps, while Bavuma was involved in another mix-up as tailender Keshav Maharaj was caught short of his ground.
South Africa claimed the controversial Sandpapergate series 3-1 in 2018, but have failed to top up their batting since the retirements of greats Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis and too much has been left to their fast-bowling group on this tour.
“Keep reminding the guys they’re not crap cricketers … to be blunt,” Proteas captain Dean Elgar said of his message for the last Test of the series.
“That’s what we’re playing for, come the third Test – playing for the badge, playing for the pride of our team.
“2-1 sounds better than 3-0, so we have to believe we can still bounce back and put up a massive effort for the third Test.”
Warner claimed man-of-the-match honours for his brilliant double-century, ending an almost three-year drought without a red-ball ton.
Just the second Australian after Ponting to score a century in their 100th Test, Warner’s innings will go down in folklore after he batted through heat stress and full-body cramps in oppressive conditions on Tuesday.
Star Australia quick Mitchell Starc has ruled himself out of next week’s SCG Test due to a finger injury suffered on day one.
However, a visibly sore Starc bowled 18 overs during South Africa’s second innings for figures of 1-62.
Starc will join allrounder Cameron Green on the sidelines for the New Year’s Test, starting on January 4, due to a fractured finger.
Australia will likely bring a spinner into the squad with the wicket expected to be dry and produce plenty of turn.
It could provide to be a perfect audition for a spinner to partner Nathan Lyon ahead of February’s blockbuster tour in India.
© AAP 2022
