Australia closed in on profitable the second Test and the series in opposition to South Africa on Wednesday after Alex Carey struck a maiden century to depart them in a commanding place.
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The hosts declared at tea on 575/8 on day three with an ominous lead of 386 after South Africa have been bowled out in their first innings for 189.
In reply, the Proteas have been 15/1 when play was deserted early at the Melbourne Cricket Ground because of persistent drizzle.
Their bid to save lots of the Test, and the three-match series after shedding the opener in Brisbane, received off to a horror begin with under-pressure skipper Dean Elgar caught by Carey off Pat Cummins with out scoring in the second over.
Theunis de Bruyn, who was dropped by David Warner on three, was not out on six alongside Sarel Erwee on seven.
Wicketkeeper Carey, taking part in in his 14th Test, was very good in reaching three figures for the first time earlier than he was caught and bowled by Marco Jansen for 111.
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At the declaration, a battling Cameron Green was not out on 51 regardless of a fractured finger, alongside Mitchell Starc on 10.
Carey and Green piled on the distress in a 117-run partnership after South Africa gave themselves a glimmer of hope with early wickets, together with David Warner first ball after he resumed on 200.
Australia began the day 3 wickets down
Australia resumed on 386/3 with Travis Head on 48 and Carey on 9 after a herculean unbeaten double century from Warner in his a centesimal Test in gruelling warmth on day two.
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The veteran opener retired exhausted with extreme cramp after making his third Test double ton, however he returned to the crease when Head was out for 51, strolling out to very large applause.
He advised host broadcaster Fox earlier than play started that he had a “rough night’s sleep”.
“I probably woke up six or seven times,” he added, and was bowled first ball by an Anrich Nortje yorker as Australia misplaced three wickets for 5 runs.
Temperatures have been a lot cooler than the 37 levels Celsius on Tuesday, with circumstances overcast and humid – usually beneficial to the bowlers.
And the ever-dangerous Anrich Nortje took benefit, bowling Head in the third over earlier than snaring a bewildered Warner subsequent ball.
Pat Cummins fended off the hat-trick supply, however he didn’t final lengthy.
The Australian skipper fell to the third ball he confronted when South Africa efficiently reviewed a caught behind determination off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling that was initially denied by the umpire.
Carey was joined by Nathan Lyon they usually steadied the ship.
Lyon made an entertaining 25 earlier than holing out to Khaya Zondo off Lungi Ngidi
Ahead of play, Green, who took 5-27 in South Africa’s first innings, was dominated out of bowling once more in Melbourne – and the third Sydney Test – with a fractured finger, however he bravely got here out to bat.
After a sluggish begin, he started taking part in his photographs in an admirable supporting function to Carey, who counter-attacked after the early wickets fell to consolidate Australia’s benefit.
Carey was the first Australian wicketkeeper to make a Test century since Brad Haddin in 2013 and solely the second at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after Rod Marsh.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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