Spider Cam operator stood down after Nortje collision

The Aussies will bowl once more nonetheless, and might be two choices down as Cameron Green joins Mitchell Starc on the sidelines.

Follow all of the motion from day 3 on the MCG dwell right here.

Can Alex Carey rating a primary Test ton?

The Australian wicketkeeper has eclipsed his earlier excessive rating of 93, which got here on the Pakistan tour earlier this yr.

Earlier, Trent Copeland summed up the place he thought the South Africans had gone flawed bowling to Carey.

Speaking on Channel 7, he mentioned: “That really is his strength, that driving through the covers zone.

“If you’re in tight with him he’s been pretty circumspect, but 123 (strike rate) outside the off stump.”

Carey’s knock may persuade selectors to raise him to no.6 for the Sydney check, leaving the no.7 spot open for a bowling all-rounder to come back in for the injured Cameron Green, Copeland mentioned.

1.45PM GREEN’S PLACE IN HISTORY SUMMED UP

Check out the rarefied air Cameron Green is in after a positive begin to his Test profession.

The all-rounder continues to bat on with a fractured finger alongside Alex Carey.

1.30PM SPIDER CAM OPERATOR STOOD DOWN

The Spider Cam operator concerned in Tuesday’s incident with South African fast Anrich Nortje has been stood down.

Fox Cricket has confirmed the digital camera operator had been stood down on Wednesday afternoon.

The digital camera has been again in operation on Wednesday, with the South Africans nonetheless within the discipline.

The digital camera collided with Nortje whereas he was within the discipline on day two however the Proteas fast mentioned after play it had no influence on his bowling.

Earlier, Australian Cricketers Association boss Todd Greenberg informed SEN: “I saw that

happen live and when he went down I was genuinely concerned … it did knock him

off his feet.

“That would be very disconcerting for a player on the field when

your only focus is on the ball, It’s obviously human error, but something we can’t

see happen again.

“ I have spoken to CA about that and I have spoken to the broadcasters

who have formalized some things so that won’t happen again.

“Clearly it’s an

error which shouldn’t happen and won’t happen again.”

1.05PM AUSSIES OUT TO PROLONG SA MISERY

Alex Carey has given an perception into Australia’s ruthless mindset because it appears to lengthen South Africa’s distress within the discipline deep into day three.

The wicketkeeper will resume within the second session with Cameron Green after lifting Australia’s result in 290 runs on the break.

Carey mentioned Australia was more likely to bat deep into the day, pending one other South African rally with the ball.

“I think we’ll go hopefully as long as we can. The wicket’s still pretty good. We’d like to get a few more runs and hopefully Greeny and I can consolidate after lunch,” he informed Fox Cricket.

Carey praised the braveness of Green, who’s batting with a fractured finger.

“He’s really positive. As we can see he’s getting in behind them, he’s putting on a brave face and nothing changes when batting with Greeny now,” he mentioned.

12.55PM SA QUICK RESPONDS TO SPIDER CAM INCIDENT

Owen Leonard

South African quick bowler Anrich Nortje says gamers have beforehand expressed concern about how low ‘spider’ cameras fly over the bottom after he was struck within the discipline by one on Tuesday.

Nortje was strolling sq. of the wicket between overs when the spider cam, or ‘Flying Fox’ as it’s branded on Fox Cricket, struck him at pace from behind, clipping the again of his left shoulder and elbow.

“I saw cables, moved around, turned my head and saw the cam, but I was a little bit too late. It was quite quick,” he mentioned.

“The one thing we’ve spoken about earlier is how low it is and it probably shouldn’t be.

“Unless it’s for interviews or something – I don’t know for certain – but I don’t think it should be travelling head height.”

Nortje mentioned his elbow was “a bit sore” however felt unscathed in any other case.

“It didn’t really change my mindset. I tried to stay focused,” he mentioned.

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When will Australia declare?

The Aussies appear to be delaying the inevitable, whether or not it’s so Alex Carey can chase a maiden Test ton or the bowlers can relaxation up earlier than what looms as an almighty workload within the second innings.

Mitch Starc is obtainable however Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon should do the heavy lifting.

Marnus Labuschagne is predicted to bowl seamers, whereas Travis Head is an alternative choice Cummins might need to show to with Cam Green injured.

Former Proteas captain Shaun Pollock informed Fox Cricket the bowling accidents can be an enormous issue.

“It’s interesting to see what the Australians will do,” Pollock mentioned.

“You’d think it would get to a declaration at some stage.

“But I suppose they have to weigh up lack of bowling options and how you don’t give too much of a workload before tea.

“Maybe after tea, then you’ve got a nice rest. That would be in their talk.”

Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland have each been padded up within the Australian change rooms suggesting a declaration is unlikely quickly.

12.15PM SHOULD VICTORIAN BE IN SCG TALK?

Kerry O’Keefe and Ricky Ponting touted Aaron Hardie as a possible bolter for the SCG Test — however what about Will Sutherland?

These all-round numbers are fairly compelling…

I believe it’s extra probably Alex Carey bats at six, Ashton Agar is available in for seven after which the bowlers.

But it’s an attention-grabbing debate nonetheless.

Alex Carey produces a crisp straight drive to achieve his half-century from 66 balls and has undoubtedly upped his scoring fee since Nathan Lyon got here in.

Cam Green is offering a keen ally for now as Carey chases his first Test century.

Carey has three Test fifties and a excessive rating of 93 from his 14 Test matches.

Peter Lalor stories…

Lance Morris, essentially the most thrilling quick bowler in Australian cricket, appears set to make his debut within the Sydney Test.

Australia is 2 bowlers down: Cameron Green is out with a damaged finger and Mitchell Starc with a torn ligament.

The Australians will add a second spin choice to the squad and watch the toll on Pat Cummins and Scott Boland who’re the 2 remaining seamers within the group and those who should do the heavy lifting.

There is sufficient within the wicket to bowl the South Africans out rapidly however are there sufficient bowlers to finish the duty?

Expect to see Marnus Labuschagne sending down quite a lot of seamers in what’s left of the match.

In a worst-case situation there needs to be extra adjustments for the ultimate Test if Boland and Cummins’ workloads are too heavy.

Morris, who has picked up the moniker “wild thing”, bowls in extra of 150km/h and was introduced into the squad in Adelaide as cowl for Starc, whereas Boland got here in as cowl for Hazlewood.

It can be a horrible blow for Hazlewood if he was missed as he has missed quite a lot of cricket previously 12 months, however there could also be extra alternatives on the SCG relying on South Africa’s resistance.

Coach Andrew McDonald indicated that Morris might make his debut, saying they have been centered on the steadiness of the squad and “we always look to complement the attack”.

“There’s clearly a role there for him, if Mitchell Starc was to go down, so he may be looking like he’ll get an opportunity in Sydney depending on the balance of that attack.”

Reports from NSW are that Sydney might be dry and favour gradual bowling.

“If we bring a spinner into the squad for Sydney it will be based on the conditions,” he informed SEN.

“There’s a lot of cricket still left here, there’s a decent gap between this Test and the next one as well. It’s not a three-day turnaround as some have been.”

And Cameron Green will bat once more, becoming a member of Alex Carey. You sense this could be the final partnership earlier than a declaration from the Australians.

11.30AM ‘FASTEST I’VE FACED’: WARNER PRAISE FOR NORTJE

Andy Bellairs

Anrich Nortje’s lightning fast spell yesterday has drawn plaudits from Australia’s double centurian David Warner.

Speaking on Fox Cricket, Warner admitted he had by no means confronted bowling that fast.

“That was the fastest spell I’ve ever faced in my Test career,” Warner mentioned on Channel 7.

“That was extraordinary. And in this heat, just to keep coming in ball after ball, delivering 150km/h plus…it was awesome stuff from him.

“You know what’s coming at you. The hardest thing is trying to get in position to either pull it or get out of the way. I got lidded (hit on the helmet) and I can’t remember the last time I got lidded in a game.”

Nortje was clocked at 155kph on a number of events within the spell.

Pat Cummins is given out on DRS and South Africa has three wickets within the blink of an eye fixed.

Although the sting was solely faint, former umpire Simon Taufel confirmed it was the proper determination on Channel 7.

He mentioned: “In consultation with with th technology providers, we did develo a conclusive evidence protocol. Part of that protocol has got some redundancy built into that. Hot spot doesn’t always show us a mark and when it doesn’t show us a mark we then revert to real-time Snicko in this particular case.

“Chris Gaffney applied tahat conclusive evidence protocol exactly correctly. There was a spike as the ball went past the bat or up to one frame past the bat, which allows for a little bit of a timing delay as sound travels towards the stump microphone.

“Chris Gaffney as third umpire absolutely, well and truly got that spot on with that spike.”

`

Nortje is on a hat-trick out of nowhere! Pat Cummins retains out the hat-trick ball however Nortje lastly will get some rewards for his tireless spells on day two. Travis Head missed a ball on the stumps attempting to play by means of the leg aspect earlier than Nortje ripped by means of the defences od Warner subsequent ball.

10.57AM ELGAR ‘PLAYING FOR HIS CAPTAINCY’

Former Test fast Damien Fleming says South African skipper Dean Elgar dangers shedding the captaincy until his group’s horror tour of Australia improves.

After twice being routed on a Gabba inexperienced prime, the vacationers are gazing a deficit effectively past 200 runs within the first innings in Melbourne.

Speaking on SEN Cricket, Fleming mentioned Elgar was beneath immense stress.

“Elgar is playing for his captaincy career, and then everyone outside of Verreynne is playing for their career,” he mentioned earlier than day three.

Simon Katich mentioned Elgar’s techniques on day two, the place Australia amassed runs with ease, have been “terrible”.

“I thought Elgar was terrible yesterday with his tactics and decision making,” Katich mentioned on SEN Breakfast.

“Bowlers couldn’t build up any pressure with the fields that he set.

“Then they couldn’t bowl the right length with the new ball because the field (Elgar) set with a short leg and no protection on the leg side.

“On the MCG, you attack the stumps for bowled, lbw and bringing the keeper and slips in the game.

“Jansen was excellent but was hardly given the ball.”

And it’s raining once more on the MCG….

10.30AM SKULL’S SCG BOLTER

Kerry O’Keefe has urged Australian selectors to call Western Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie as a Test bolter for Sydney to switch Cameron Green.

Green has been dominated out of the SCG Test and won’t participate within the BBL, with O’Keefe floating his Perth Scorchers teammate Hardie as a like-for-like alternative for the third Test in opposition to South Africa.

Hardie averages 44 runs from 19 first-class matches and has 41 wickets.

The 23-year-old has been earmarked as a possible Australian participant, that includes on the Australia A tour of Sri Lanka this yr.

“If I was George Bailey, my bowling attack for Sydney would be Cummins, Boland, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy,” O’Keefe mentioned on Fox Cricket.

“I’d bring in Aaron Hardie for Cameron Green and I’d bring in the second spinner on a Sydney Cricket Ground turner.

“And the second best spinner is also an off-spinner, so I’d go with him.”

Former Aussie Test skipper Ricky Ponting agreed with O’Keefe’s Hardie evaluation, telling Channel 7: “The most recognisable like-for-like I can think of for Cam Green’s replacement for Sydney is someone like Aaron Hardie.

“Another West Australian all-rounder. Very talented youngster. We have seen him probably make his mark on the shorter forms of the game so far more than anything else but he did get a hundred in the Shield final last year.

“And (he) can bowl some handy overs. Bit of a smoky there.”

10.22AM NORTJE’S HILARIOUS TAKE ON SPIDER CAM DRAMA

We’ve received to pay this one…

For those that missed it, Nortje was hit by the spider cam on day two.

The good news from the MCG is the covers are off and barring any extra rain we’ll have a begin which is simply delayed quarter-hour.

GREEN INJURY LEAVES AUSSIES TWO BOWLERS DOWN

– Peter Lalor

Cameron Green, the hero of Australia’s first innings bowling effort within the Boxing Day Test, has a damaged finger, leaving the hosts nearly 200 runs forward however two bowlers down.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Green’s fractured finger on SEN this morning.

McDonald confirmed that Mitchell Starc might but bowl within the second innings in Melbourne regardless of an damage which is predicted to sideline him for six weeks whereas Green might be unable to bowl, however will bat with the “small fracture” if mandatory.

Green, 23, took 5-27 in the most effective efficiency of his profession on day one of many Test and picked up $3.15m on the IPL public sale on Friday.

McDonald flagged a doable Test debut for Western Australian tearaway left-armer Lance Morris in Sydney as a like-for-like alternative for Mitch Starc.

Mc Donald additionally recommended that if a second spinner have been chosen in Sydney, it might be the participant who finest compliments the assault, not essentially the second finest spinner in Australia.

This might pave the best way for left-armer Ashton Agar to switch Cameron Green because of his capacity with the bat.

David Warner has been confirmed as the following higher in if Australia loses a wicket early as we speak after retiring damage on 200 with cramp late on day 2.

Warner’s good friend and former nemesis Joe Root scored 218 in his a hundredth Test and the Australian could also be tempted to try to knock off that file.

He is one in every of solely 10 batsman to attain a century in his landmark match. Ricky Ponting is the one different Australian.

The former captain scored centuries in each innings of his a hundredth.

In dangerous news for cricket lovers there’s rain falling on the MCG and the covers are on an hour earlier than play, however the climate is predicted to clear.

The bureau is anticipating a cool change which might be a reduction after the second day when the mercury reached 37C, inflicting quite a few gamers to cramp.

ROCK BOTTOM: SA BATSMEN FINALLY BREAK TEAMMATES

Is this South Africa’s “Hobart’’ second?

The level the place you nostril dive into the underside of the barrel with a lot power you realise that until one thing adjustments you will crash straight by means of it.

There are some ardent followers of South African cricket who’re truly hoping that if the Proteas lose this Test they lose it actually, actually – actually – badly so the push for change turns into overwhelming.

South Africa have been at risk of melting into oblivion on the MCG on day two of the Boxing Day Test however six years in the past in chilly Hobart the polar reverse was taking place.

South Africa romped to a sequence victory once they crushed Australia by an innings and 80 runs successfully dumped Australia again at floor zero.

Several indignant Cricket Australia executives addressed the group after the match saying it was time for Australian cricket to regain its misplaced edge.

Some say this was the beginning of the street to Sandpapergate however what shouldn’t be in dispute was it was the turning level that made Australia take a look at itself from prime to backside and realise issues might by no means get this determined once more.

And they by no means have.

South Africa’s cricket system is at that time now. It’s a large number.

Bowling is their robust go well with – and their lengthy go well with – but it seems the pressure on their bowling assault of continually having to defend small totals has reached breaking level and a part of the rationale why their bowlers took only one wicket on a heartbreaking day two of the Test.

The South African prime order are so poor they’ve six consecutive sub-200 scores in Tests.

Their top notch system options eight groups taking part in seven video games a yr.

It’s hardly overkill.

Incredibly, South Africa received their final three sequence in Australia but there was all the time a sense they received there regardless of their system and never due to it.

The expertise drain from South Africa to different nations is a perpetual pressure on their Test group.

It takes no creativeness to choose a aggressive worldwide 12 from South African born gamers both taking part in abroad or unavailable for Test choice who would give the present motley crew an honest Test.

Try Keaton Jennings, Jason Roy, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munroe, Glenn Phillips, Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway, Quinton de Kock, Tom Curran, Kyle Abbott, Michael Neser and Neil Wagner.

If even two or three of those gamers have been taking part in for the present Proteas group they might have made a significant distinction.

Originally revealed as Australia v South Africa: Follow all of the day three motion from the MCG