Australia have wrapped up their three-Test clash with South Africa in straight sets, completing a comprehensive win at the MCG on day four.
Cameron Green delivered arguably his best overall Test performance to date, Alex Carey scored his maiden Test ton, while the under-fire David Warner saved arguably his best innings for the his 100th test.
However, there are still some gaps in Australia’s domain that will make for ugly reading.
Here’s how the All-Australians performed in the Boxing Day Test.
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DAVID WARNER — 10
200
An instantly iconic entry. Has any of his 25 Test centuries typified the man better? Warner’s back was firmly against the wall heading into Melbourne, and then, with oppressive heat completely gripping his legs, the left-hander plundered a double century in his 100th Test. From the moment Kagiso Rabada’s full first drifted down the leg side, you got the feeling it could be a different story for Warner, who had struggled in Test matches for all year until that time. He looked much more positive at the crease, ran between the wickets at an elite level and batted brilliantly when the legs gave out. If you wanted holes, there were a few cross bats to balls in a tight line that might have cost him his wicket earlier. Anrich Nortje also looked to contain him in the 1990s, bowling what Warner later described as the fastest spell he had ever faced. In fact, very few batsmen could have faced it better. What an entrance. what a moment Even torching Marnus Labuschagne and two drops in the second innings can’t cost him a perfect 10 – his first in Test cricket in a long, long time.
Warner double century guides Aus to lead | 03:38
USMAN KHAWAJA — 0.5
1
Consider Usman Khawaja. All the Aussies have been piling on the runs this summer, but the left-hander has yet to hit that big score despite a couple of good starts against the West Indies. In fact, his average in this series against South Africa is now just 5.00 after falling cheaply to Kagiso Rabada again. Rabada has taken the wicket of Khawaja five times now in Test cricket. Khawaja’s footwork was left wanting as Rabada found the right line outside off and tickled the Australian’s outside edge. Khawaja didn’t get a chance to bat again, leaving him no choice but to dish out a dismal score.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 3
14
Marnus Labuschagne provided one of the most influential contributions of the entire Test, and it had nothing to do with his batting. Labuschagne had taken a single and continued to walk well beyond the crease, unaware that Warner had turned to come back for a second run. He was likely to go down the other end, but Labuschagne did so instead, sending Warner back in his 100th Test. It ultimately cost him his wicket and a good rating in these rankings, but allowed Warner deliver a memorable innings. He gets extra marks for his selflessness.
STEVE SMITH — 7.5
85
1-9
The runs continue to flow this summer for Steve Smith, although it wasn’t his smoothest innings. It was a little shaky to begin with, but he grew in touch to the point where he looked certain to follow Warner past three figures. His dismissal really seemed to come out of nowhere. A drink break can sometimes do that. Nortje shot short and Smith was only successful at the top cutting it straight into the gully in a disappointing dismissal. His catching at the slips was again on point, while his three overs in the second innings weren’t half bad either.
TRAVIS HEAD — 6
51
Another half-century for the left-hander, and once again he scored on his mark, in quick fashion. Head struck with Warner at the end of the first day, then continued the charge after his batting partner was forced to retire injured. He looked like he had a big one the next day when he hit his fourth fifty of the summer, but to everyone’s surprise, he bowled the next ball. It was a great delivery from Anrich Nortje in another fiery spell, but Head could have played straight instead of trying to score more runs through the side. Get an extra half point for a strong start in the second inning.
CAMERON GREEN – 9
51*
5-27
After winning $3.15 million in the IPL auction, Cameron Green rolled up his sleeves and got down and dirty at the MCG in a display of work. In the first innings with the ball, he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, grabbing a brilliant 5-27. Among those five wickets were Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen, who both posted half-centuries in a 112-year partnership before Green blew it. Then the rest followed at low cost. Green broke his finger while batting and retired injured. He returned to the crease the next day and defended strongly to allow Carey to make a century. The Proteas had no answer for Green, who remained unbeaten on 177 balls, his longest Test innings to date. He would surely have pushed a perfect 10 if he was in a position to bowl in the second innings.
Green’s healthy celebration for Carey | 01:05
ALEX CAREY — 9
111
If there was any doubt before, there can be none now. Alex Carey is locked in for the long haul as Australia’s goalkeeper. He stepped into the role amid strong competition from Josh Inglis and after some average scores and sketchy glovework, the questions remained. But Carey’s performances have been trending north for months, culminating in his first Test ton on Wednesday. His 111 off 149 balls helped Australia to a massive first innings lead. What’s more is that Carey barely gave the Proteas a whiff in a truly classy display that came despite the chaos surrounding him, with uncertainty at the time over the batting ability of the depleted Warner and the injured Green and Stark. There can be no complaints with the gloves either. A real testing performance for the South Australian.
Unsung Carey scores a sublime maiden tone | 02:29
PAT CUMMINS — 8
0-30 and 1-20
He certainly didn’t get the rewards in the wicket column, but Pat Cummins was strong in both innings in Melbourne. The Proteas struggled to put him away throughout the Test, with the captain showing both great ball control and an aggression that the South Africans lacked. He was hit for just over two runs over the top in the first inning, while he was closer to a run over the top in the second. It was Cummins who set the tone in the second innings by dismissing Dean Elgar early, albeit cheaply. As captain, his bold, first-time decision was vindicated, while his statement in the first innings might have seemed a bit late, but it mattered little. He was very good at using his reviews, especially when he decided not to review on first innings with a series of close calls. He remains unbeaten in a Test series as Australia’s captain.
MITCHELL STARC — 7.5
2-39 and 1-62
It was a warrior performance from the left arm. Starc was reliable in the first innings as he took two wickets in a tidy display. However, he injured the middle finger of his bowling hand while trying to take a catch. However, with Green unable to bowl in the second innings, Starc took some painkillers and dug deep despite blood visibly pouring from his finger. His pace was still around 140km/h and he was swinging the ball early. Had the rain not stopped play early on the third day, you feel he was going to take a couple of wickets before stumps. However, he made the breakthrough the next day and made it ready for his country.
Starc FURIOUS in Mankad drama! | 00:27
NATHAN LYON – 7
1-53 and 3-58
He didn’t have much joy in the first innings with his only wicket coming to Keshav Maharaj, who took the bait of a flighted delivery. As usual, he played a bigger role in the second innings and produced a solid spell. He injured his left shoulder in the field but returned soon after and dismissed Marco Jansen, one of South Africa’s best batsmen in this series. From there, the Proteas became increasingly sloppy and Lyon were happy to clean up.
SCOTT BOLAND – 7
1-34 and 2-49
He was barely 6-7 in the ‘G, but this was another good performance from Boland on his field. In fact, there was no semblance of truth among the Aussie bowlers with everyone playing their part. That includes Boland claiming 1-34 in the first innings and backing it up with 2-49 in the second. That included a brilliant delivery to Theunis de Bruyn that took off in short order and had the right-hander scrambling. Unsurprisingly, Boland’s control was fantastic.