Melbourne: Australia have boosted their chances of appearing at next year’s ICC World Test Championship final and put a big dent in South Africa’s hopes with a dominant victory over the Proteas in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Pat Cummins’ side wrapped up the innings-and-182-run victory midway through the fourth day of the Test, with experienced spinner Nathan Lyon (3/58) and seamer Scott Boland (2/49) doing the majority of the damage on Thursday to complete the MCG rout.
The victory sees Australia open up an insurmountable 2-0 series lead on the Proteas and helps them extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings.
The 12 points Australia receives for the win takes them to 132 points from 14 matches this period, with their win-percentage boosted to an impressive 78.57% following the victory.
It means Australia are well placed for a maiden appearance at the World Test Championship final at The Oval next year, with five Tests remaining this period (one against South Africa in Sydney and four in India during February and March) before the finalists are known.
The top two teams qualify for the World Test Championship decider and South Africa’s chances of earning one of those two spots are further diminished following a second consecutive disappointing performance on Australian shores.
The Proteas arrived in Australia in second place on the standings and with expectations high, but back-to-back losses has seen Dean Elgar’s side slip to fourth on the updated table.
India hold on to second spot on the standings with a 58.93% win-percentage and Sri Lanka (53.33%) rise to third and in front of South Africa (50%) after the Proteas’ efforts in Melbourne.
South Africa resumed on the fourth day at 15/1 and needed a miracle to try and work their way back into the Test, with Temba Bavuma (65) and Kyle Verreynne (33) offering some brief resistance during a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket.
But Boland broke the partnership when he trapped Verreynne LBW and then Lyon wrapped up the tail to ensure Australia cruised to victory and yet another series triumph on home soil.
