South Africa’s tour of Australia stands on the brink of complete collapse with the home side on track to inflict a second humiliating victory heading into Day 3 of the Second Test.
Australia resumes its first innings at the MCG on Wednesday after reaching 3/386 at stumps — a lead of 197.
David Warner’s courageous double-century was the headline moment, but South Africa’s woes only continued to roll on in the final session of play where Australia blasted 155 runs in 28 overs.
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The potential game-changer that keeps South Africa’s hopes alive are the finger injuries Cam Green and Mitchell Starc have suffered this Test.
It was revealed early on Wednesday Green suffered a broken finger after he was stung by Anrich Nortje late in the day’s play.
Green left the field with a bloodied finger and the latest news means Australia will only have Scott Boland, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to bowl them to victory.
The other potential game-changer is Melbourne’s fickle weather with showers expected as the mercury plummets from 38C on Tuesday to 18C on Wednesday.
Disaster as Green ruled out of Sydney Test, has broken finger
Cricket Australia has announced Cameron Green’s series is over after suffering a finger fracture while batting on Day 2.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald says the Aussie team has decided Green will not bowl for the rest of the Test and will miss the Third test in Sydney.
It is a disaster for Australia with Mitchell Starc already ruled out from the New Year’s Test when he suffered a finger injury, damaging a tendon while in the field.
McDonald said Green could be called upon to bat if he is needed in Australia’s second innings.
“He’s got a small fracture to that index finger, so bowling looks not a possibility,” McDonald told SEN.
“But he’ll potentially come back on for batting. So that’ll be assessed this morning (based on) where the situation of the game is at, we’ll work our way through that.”
Fox Cricket commentator said the injury gives South Africa an avenue back into the Test.
“With a threadbare attack — and this pitch is playing pretty well — we’ll see how much revolve South Africa have,” he said.
“But we’ll know where the tourists are at psychologically and how they handle this second innings against the reduced Australian attack.”
Star wants action after Spidercam smash
South African firebrand Anrich Nortje has called for Spidercam to cease operating below head height after he was taken out by the advanced camera technology on Day 2.
Nortje was hit by the Flying Fox or Spidercam camera as it ducked down at the end of an over.
The Flying Fox has generally been praised by broadcasters as it offers a tool to interview players during the game and a tool to provide shots scarcely believed possible in the past.
But the 183cm Nortje was knocked down in a bizarre incident with the camera.
As it tracked along shortly after Warner brought up his century, the Flying Fox was knocked off its shot, revealing it had left the fast bowler in its wake.
Nortje spoke after the day’s play, saying the technology needs to take the height of tall bowlers into consideration.
“I didn’t know what hit me, to be honest,” Nortje said.
“So far so good. It just knocked the [left] shoulder and the [left] elbow. The elbow is a bit sore but otherwise seems to be okay. I’ll just monitor it and see how it goes with the [doctor].
“I saw cables and then I turned around or moved my head and then I saw the camera, but I was a little bit too late. It was quite quick. It didn’t really change my mindset or anything. I tried to stay focused.
“I think the one thing we’ve spoken about earlier is how low it is and it probably shouldn’t be unless [it needs to be] for certain interviews or something. But I don’t think it should be travelling head height. That’s just my opinion. And then for Marco [Jansen] as well, they must take him into consideration [for his height].”
It comes as Cricinfo reported Fox Cricket had apologised to Nortje and found that the incident was the result of human error by the operator.
The Flying Fox will return to action on Day 3.
Ponting predicted Warner 100th Test double century
Ricky Ponting’s could sense David Warner was headed for a momentous moment before the first ball had even been bowled on Day 2.
Ponting said on Tuesday morning Warner would go on to become just the second Aussie to hit a century in his 100th Test — following Ponting himself — and then go on to be the second player in history to make it a double.
“Yes,” Ponting said after he was asked about Warner’s prospects of a hundred.
“And if he gets it, he might make 200. There you go.”