David Warner battled by way of searing warmth to hit an epic unbeaten 200 in his a hundredth Test on Tuesday earlier than retiring in pain as Australia consolidated their benefit towards South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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On a scorching day, the hosts had been 386/3 at stumps on day two of the second Test, main by 197 after the Proteas had been dismissed of their first innings for 189.
Travis Head was not out 48 with Alex Carey on 9.
Steve Smith (85) and Marnus Labuschagne (14) had been the solely wickets to fall. But worryingly for Australia, Cameron Green, who took 5-27 in South Africa’s first innings, additionally retired damage after a nasty rap on the finger from Anrich Nortje.
Smith and Warner’s 239-run partnership took the recreation additional away from South Africa, whose bowlers toiled in temperatures touching 37 levels Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit).
Opener Warner, 36, snapped a near-three-year century drought in sometimes aggressive and gritty style, reaching three figures for a twenty fifth time after coming into the recreation below stress on a lean run.
It was his first Test hundred since January 2020 and as the opposition bowlers drained, he battled the components and transformed it to 200 for under the third time.
His spouse Candice informed host broadcaster Fox: “You’d think by now people would know writing David Warner off is the wrong thing to do.”
But it was an exhausting effort, as he handed 8 000 Test runs en route.
Chairs needed to be introduced out for Warner and Smith to relaxation on in the drinks breaks, with towels draped over their heads and ice-packs on their shoulders.
Warner wanted therapy for cramp a number of instances and retired in pain after reaching 200 and dropping to his knees, ultimately helped from the subject by help employees.
“The boys were cramping left, right and centre,” Smith informed reporters.
“So, difficult (conditions) but nice to get us to the position where we are now. I think we’re in a nice spot.”
Australia resumed on 45/1, having misplaced Usman Khawaja late Monday after taking cost of the opening day, with Green’s heroics serving to dismiss the guests for below 200 once more.
They had been all out for 152 and 99 in the first Test in Brisbane, which they misplaced by six wickets inside two days.
Warner started on 32 and confirmed his aggressive intent with an early boundary off Kagiso Rabada.
Nortje was routinely sending down 150 kph (93 mph) rockets, smacking Warner on the head when he was on 47. The batter was given the all-clear after a compulsory concussion check on the subject, with a prolonged delay as a brand new helmet was discovered.
But catastrophe struck two balls after play resumed.
Warner pushed Nortje for a single and got here again for a second, however Labuschagne hesitated and was run out regardless of a lunging dive.
“It looked like a good wicket in general if you bowled good areas, over time you would get rewarded. But they batted really well,” stated Nortje.
“I felt the boys bowled really well… unfortunately it didn’t go our way.”
Warner put his head all the way down to motor to 100, punching the air when he obtained there after a near-flawless knock characterised by his trademark sturdy operating between the wicket.
Smith was not as snug, escaping on 9 when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne after which on 39 when he was given out caught behind just for it to be known as a no-ball.
But he persevered to achieve a thirty seventh Test fifty with a 4 off Marco Jansen.
Warner upped the ante after his century and raced to 200 off 254 balls earlier than calling it quits.
Smith departed shortly earlier than his associate reached the milestone, with Nortje getting his reward for a tough day’s work, with Theunis de Bruyn taking a catch at gully.
TEAMS:
Australia
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
South Africa
Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)
PROTEAS TEST TOUR TO AUSTRALIA ITINERARY
Four-day Tour Match
09 – 12 December
Cricket Australia XI drew with South Africa – The Allan Border Field, Brisbane
Tests
17 – 21 December
Australia beat South Africa by six wickets – The Gabba, Brisbane
26 – 30 December
Australia vs South Africa – MCG, Melbourne
04 – 08 January
Australia vs South Africa – SCG, Sydney
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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