The Boxing Day Test resumes on Wednesday with Australia in a dominant position, leading South Africa by 197 runs with seven wickets in hand.
It came after a special – and timely – batting performance from David Warner – hitting his first century in nearly three years with 200 runs in his milestone 100th Test match after being out of form and under intense scrutiny – before retiring due to the extreme heat weather conditions in Melbourne.
Warner wasn’t the only player to go down due to the heat, with Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc, who’s already battling a finger injury, also requiring medical attention in an action-packed, sweltering day.
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The Aussies are now in poll position to win not only the match, but the series, with Travis Head (48) and Alex Carey (9) at the crease looking to extend the hosts’ lead.
But with Starc and potentially Green also unable to bowl, it could put a dent in Australia’s hopes of bowling Proteas out again.
It’d leave the home side with just three fit bowlers – Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon – and give South Africa some glimmer of hope.
Warner puts Proteas under the pump | 02:42
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“That‘s going to be a big factor,” South African quick Anrich Nortje said of Australia’s injury worries.
“Once we get to that stage (to bat again) it’s going to be crucial to bat as long as we can. The more overs the bowlers are going to bowl, the more a back-up bowler…would really have to apply themselves.
“That‘s going to be a crucial stage for us and hopefully we can have a lot of batters in hand, and work through the difficult stages all day and then cash in later on.”
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
South Africa 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
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