2.05pm CANDICE WARNER ON DAVID’S CENTURYCandice Warner says her husband David’s first century in nearly three years would function a reminder to his critics to not “write David off.”
Speaking minutes after Warner reached triple figures for the primary time since January, 2020, Candice informed Fox Cricket the household’s entourage had descended on Melbourne for the opener’s milestone a centesimal Test.
“I think it will mean so much to everyone that’s here, that’s come to support him,” she mentioned. “His mum and dad are here for his 100th Test. His school friends, family. Just everyone. It’s such a big milestone and for him to be able to do it while his back’s against the wall means even more.”
She added: “You’d think by now writing David off is probably the wrong thing to do. He thrives on that and we have just seen today the class batsman that he is. To be only the 14th person for Australia to make 100 Tests is testament to himself.”
Warner mentioned the household’s three daughters informed David to “score a hundred like Marnus” earlier than his Boxing Day Test heroics.
The drought is over! David Warner has his first ton in nearly three years after reaching triple figures in his a centesimal Test. His final Test hundred was January, 2020 within the New Year’s Test towards New Zealand. Warner opened with Joe Burns in that Test and Cameron Green had but to debut for Australia. “Worrysome times for the South Africans,” says Shaun Pollock in commentary.
2.10pm AUSTRALIA CLOSES IN ON LEAD `
Steve Smith is given out, evaluations right away and Kagiso Rabada is discovered to have overstepped. Smith would have been given not out anyway because the ball struck him on the arm. But for a short second Rabada thought he had a much-needed breakthrough. Talk about rubbing salt into the injuries for the guests. Australia is about to say a first-innings lead with eight wickets nonetheless in hand.
This has been a searing spell from Nortje. He is often clocking 150km/h and is making David Warner and Steve Smith work for each run. His pace went as excessive as 155km/h in the previous few minutes and one in every of his quick balls sailed nicely over wicketkeeper Kyle Verryenne. David Warner is edging nearer to his first hundred in Test cricket since January, 2020.
1.30PM UPDATE PITCH LATEST
There are already footmarks showing on the MCG pitch within the second session of day two.
No doubt Nathan Lyon will fancy his probabilities within the second innings, nevertheless it emphasises how essential Keshav Maharaj can be if South Africa goes to make any inroads.
Assessing the pitch at lunch on Channel 7, Trent Copeland mentioned: “This (the footmarks) is not a regular occurence at the MCG. And if you think about the ball missing that my a small margin, that will carry on with the arm. If the ball hits that, that’s going to then start to turn. This is day two lunchtime and we have already got footmarks appearing.”
Nortje has the ball once more. And a wonderful moustache. I don’t learn about you however I’ve critical moustache envy proper now.
12.55PM PM PREDICTS WARNER CENTURY
Ben Horne
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has predicted a David Warner century after lunch on day two on the MCG.
The PM stepped into the Fox Cricket commentary field for a stint with Adam Gilchrist and Kerry O’Keeffe and feels it’s Warner’s day.
As a boy from blue color Marriackville in Sydney, Albanese believes Warner from a housing fee in Matraville is poised to show his doubters improper in his a centesimal Test.
“That’s exactly right. He comes from a tough area of Sydney,” Mr Albanese mentioned on Fox.
“The whole of Australia is hoping he hits a ton in his 100th Test.”
The PM – a South Sydney Rabbitohs tragic – then ribbed Warner for being a Sydney Roosters supporter when he was born and raised in South Sydney heartland.
“He should be a South Sydney supporter coming from Matraville,” Mr Albanese mentioned.
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South Africa burned a evaluate late within the first session after Marco Jansen caught Steve Smith pad first with an in-swinger. The Proteas instantly appealed and whereas their feeling was right about pad beating bat, the ball struck Smith exterior the road of off stump. Marco Jansen has bowled brilliantly within the half-hour earlier than lunch, giving Smith loads of complications. Australia trails by 53 runs.
12.15PM WARNER REACHES CAREER MILESTONE
David Warner has grow to be the eighth Astralian to go 8000 Test runs earlier than lunch.
Warner joins Ricky Ponting (13378), Allan Border (11174), Steve Waugh (10927), Michael Clarke (8643), Matthew Hayden (8625), Steve Smith (8467*) and Mark Waugh (8029) within the 8000-run membership.
12.12PM IS CHRISTMAS BBL COMING?
Cricket Australia may very well be on a collision course with gamers because it prepares to research taking part in a Big Bash League match on Christmas Day.
More than 7000 supporters turned out to Sydney Kings’ historic NBL conflict with Melbourne United, success which may pave the best way for different sports activities to comply with swimsuit.
Melbourne Stars captain Adam Zampa mentioned on Monday he had no keen on taking part in on Christmas Day, whereas his Sixers counterpart Moises Henriques mentioned he was “glad I didn’t play” on December 25.
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley mentioned on Tuesday a Christmas Day match can be a dialogue level when the present BBL season was reviewed.
“That’s a good question. I think it’s something we’ll definitely talk about between the end of the season, as we obviously do the season wrap on the Big Bash,” he mentioned on SEN Cricket.
“It is something we’ll talk at length to players and also to the clubs and the venues (about).”
Hockley added: “For me, it would have been nice to turn on the TV and watch a bit of TV cricket. But at the end of the day it is a really crowded schedule for, particularly our T20 players.
“It’s unlike football season where you’re playing every weekend. They’re playing a match pretty much every two, two-and-a-half days.
“There’s lots of considerations but we won’t be making any decisions without really extensive consultation with the players and the clubs.”
On Monday night time, Zampa mentioned: “I don’t really want to play on Christmas Day.
“Our schedules are hectic enough as is, particularly for the Stars. Obviously the Boxing Day Test is on so we’re not in Melbourne, we’re away quite a bit this time of year.
“To add in a Christmas Day game would be out of the question.”
The temperature has soared to 34 levels in Melbourne and it’s solely anticipated to get even hotter. The anticipated excessive in the present day is a scorching 37 levels. You sense Australia’s plan — understandably — is to bat all day within the warmth and put on South Africa down. Keshav Maharaj time quickly? It’s been all of the quicks to date.
11.35AM GREEN’S PLAN FOR IPL RICHES
Newly-minted IPL millionaire Cameron Green has revealed his modest plans for $3m wage he’ll obtain from his new franchise.
Green turned one of the costly gamers in IPL historical past when he was snapped up by Mumbai Indians for $3.15m, a brand new Australian file.
The 23-year-old mentioned the public sale expertise had been “pretty surreal” and his hefty price ticket had already led to some good-natured ribbing from teammates.
“We’re staying in a pretty nice hotel and there’s a few nice cars out the front,” Green informed Fox Cricket.
“A few of the guys have been giving me a bit of stick saying ‘it’s already the new car that Greeny’s already got’. It’s a bit of light humour.”
But he doesn’t but have any grand plans for the cash, as an alternative confirming an iPad was on his wishlist.
Considering you may choose a type of up for about $750, Green could have a good bit of spare change left over.
Green watched the public sale and mentioned his nerves solely kicked in about half-hour earlier than bidding.
“Yeah I did (watch it). Maybe a day before I was just curious about what was going to happen, I wasn’t that nervous,” he mentioned.
“Then probably half an hour before it happened I was like ‘jeez, this feels real now’.
“It was pretty surreal. Definitely pinching yourself that it’s happening.
“You don’t know if you deserve it or not. Hopefully I can repay obviously the king gesture they gave me. It should be a good opportunity.”
EARLIER NEWS: STARC POISED TO MISS SCG TEST
Mitchell Starc is ready to overlook the Sydney Test match with tendon harm to his finger and can solely bowl in the remainder of the Boxing Day Test if required.
News Corp understands Starc is all however sure to overlook the ultimate Test of the summer time on the SCG and can be rehabbing his finger in a bid to be proper for the beginning of the Indian Test tour subsequent month.
Starc may nonetheless bowl if required within the second innings in Melbourne, and will not do additional harm to his bowling finger on his left hand if he does.
However, Australia can be mad to threat Starc until they should and the staff can be hoping the batting unit can construct a sufficiently big lead that the left-armer will be rested for the remainder of the match.
Starc’s damage opens the door for the potential that Lance “The Wild Thing” Morris may make his Test debut in Sydney.
Although Josh Hazlewood might also be match to push his case for inclusion, selectors might think about a second spinner like Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa or Mitchell Swepson if circumstances on the SCG appear like turning.
David Warner will get to his half-century from 72 balls. He’s been so proactive since late on day one. Can he flip it right into a drought-breaking century in his a centesimal Test? His final Test century was in January 2020, towards New Zealand. The picture under may function a reminder.
A horror mix-up for the Aussies between David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. Warner despatched Labuschagne again and regardless of a valiant dive he was caught wanting his floor. “It’s a real bonus wicket this for South Africa,” says Shaun Pollock in commentary. Trying to finish the second, Warner and Labuschagne crossed about two thirds of the best way up the wicket, Marnus took off however was caught nicely quick.
DAVID WARNER MIC’D UPCheck out this nice perception from Fox Cricket on day one with David Warner carrying a microphone within the subject and through his innings.
Former Australian batter Mark Waugh has accused South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada of “just rolling his arm over” on what has to date been a forgettable tour for the Proteas.
The 27-year-old took eight wickets in Brisbane, together with 4 in a memorable burst to rattle Australia throughout its second innings.
But Rabada was the costliest of the South African seamers on the Gabba inexperienced prime and Waugh questioned whether or not he was going by means of the motions.
“For a world-class bowler Rabada has bowled some very ordinary spells on this tour,” he mentioned on Fox Cricket.
“And his body language, we know he’s a laid-back sort of character, but you just want to see a bit more energy from the get-go.
“It’s got to affect the rest of the fielding side and the captain when he sees his strike bowler just rolling his arm over.”
Nortje to Labuschagne to get day two underway with Australia trailing by 144 runs. And the third ball of the day flies vast of third slip. An formative years for Labuschagne.
STARC CLEARED TO CONTINUE
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been cleared to proceed within the towards South Africa on the MCG.
Starc was hit on the tip of the center finger on his left hand by the ball within the subject yesterday. After leaving the sphere initially, Starc bowled within the nets earlier than returning to play.
His situation can be reassessed on the completion of the match.
SOUTH AFRICA’S SOS TO FAF?
Faf, the place are you?
He’s with the Perth Scorchers, that’s the place.
And doing properly sufficient that every time he scored runs for them it creates a bit of storm of Tweets from South Africa saying even at age 38 Faf du Plessis ought to be within the South African Test staff.
It gained’t occur however we get the purpose.
It took keeper Kyle Verreynne and quick bowler Marco Jansen to hoist South Africa from whole distress to one thing a bit of higher towards Australia however both sides of their century stand there was batting chaos.
Playing Australia, and notably David Warner, meant a lot to du Plessis that he felt no different staff may wind his depth sufficient as much as the identical degree.
Du Plessis, who retired from Tests practically two years in the past after South Africa hinted they’d not want him, has grow to be a T20 journeyman and his plush new home in Cape Town is proof to how nicely he’s doing.
One factor that du Plessis has that not one of the prime order bar Dean Elgar has is an honest method.
He knew when to play and when to go away, when to be affected person and when to dominate.
Sadly, the present prime order have none of that.
This is the weakest South African batting staff to go away dwelling in 90 years. There are 5 batsmen averaging 50 or extra in South Africa’s home system however they’ve been ignored within the feeling that they haven’t achieved sufficient.
South Africa’s dismal 189 adopted innings of 151, 179, 118, 169, 152 and 99 in Tests,.
It’s unhappy. They say you may make what you want of statistics in cricket however over time they hardly ever lie.
To assume Sarel Erwee may deal with this Australian assault on the again of a Test common of 25 is past wishful pondering.
The similar for Temba Bavuma (34), Khaya Zondo (25) and Theunis de Bruyn (19).
It’s onerous to defy gravity in Test cricket.
Bavuma has performed the identical variety of Tests as Don Bradman – 52 – and scored only one century and that got here seven years in the past.
Zondo has performed 138 firstclass matches over 15 years and averaged 31 – so how may he presumably be anticipated to be a Test star?
The unhappy factor for South Africa is that Test cricket is a reducing precedence for the Proteas will play solely 28 Tests within the subsequent 4 12 months cycle.
Things are grim now. They are more likely to worsen.
CAN WARNER FINALLY BREAK CENTURY DROUGHT?
South Africa beware … David Warner may simply have discovered his lacking mojo.
Warner is celebrating his a centesimal Test and for one pulsating hour took followers again to his snap-crackling zenith.
The ft had been shifting sharply. The operating between wickets was fearless and frantic. The shot making was agency and exact.
The previous Warner was changed by the Warner of previous.
Clearly, Warner needs a century right here badly. He is pumped for this match and is feeding off the a centesimal Test vibe.
South Africa has usually introduced out the very best in him. He has 4 centuries in thirteenth Tests towards them and a whistling strike price of 80 runs per 100 balls.
His constructive intent was evident in the best way he took on Kagiso Rabada, his nemesis from the primary Test, with two robust pull pictures to the fence.
Even when he left the ball Warner did so aggressively, sometimes sliding down on one knee to intensify his actions.
Warner will resume on 32 with Australia 1-45 towards South Africa’s paltry 189 and would be the centre of consideration till he will get out.
Warner seems to be like a automotive which has simply had a tune-up however older gamers can have these little bursts and the problem for him is to reignite the fireplace on day two.
South Africa’s world class bowling line-up is a menace below any circumstances however they’re perpetually below strain due to the fixed failings of their batsmen who scored their seventh consecutive sub-200 whole.
Their aspect resembles the West Indies staff of 20 years in the past when the batsmen would disappear in a heartbeat and depart nice quick males Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh to wash up their mess.
When Ambrose surprisingly retired on 98 Tests within the 12 months 2000 he privately informed associates that the pressure of getting to attempt to launch a miracle restoration with the ball each match had taken its toll.
Souths Africa’s excellent assault might quickly get to know this vibe – in the event that they don’t realize it already.
