Indian Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana starred to lead India to a 56-run win over the West Indies in the South Africa Women’s T20I Tri-Series at Buffalo Park in South Africa on Monday.
An unbroken 115-run third-wicket partnership off 70 deliveries from Smriti Mandhana and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur helped India post 167-2 off their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
The first wicket came in the final over of the first powerplay when wicket-keeper Rashada Williams took a sharp catch off the bowling of Karishma Ramharack to remove Yastika Bhatia for 18 with the score on 33.
Mandhana and Harleen Deol then came together and put on a further 14 runs before an eventful ninth over. A Deol boundary brought up India’s fifty before she was trapped in front for 12 by Shanika Bruce one ball later. This brought Kaur to the crease and the pair never looked back.
Mandhana brought up her 20th T20I fifty with a boundary off Shabika Gajnabi in the 16th over and smashed a six off Afy Fletcher in the 19th over to bring up India’s 150.
In the final over, Kaur brought up her ninth 50 in T20Is.
In the end, Mandhana hit 10 fours and one six on her way to an unbeaten 74 off 51 deliveries while Kaur finished with 56 off 35 with eight fours.
Shanika Bruce took 1-25 from her four overs for the Windies.
Despite losing only four wickets in their chase, the West Indies fell well short of their target, finishing 112-4 from their 20 overs.
Shemaine Campbelle top-scored with 47 while captain Hayley Matthews got 34 not out for the Caribbean side.
In a change at the top of the order, Rashada Williams, who batted at three in the first game against South Africa, opened the innings alongside Britney Cooper.
The West Indies lost their first wicket in just the second over when Cooper was dismissed by off-spinner Deepti Sharma for a first ball duck. In another change, Campbelle joined Williams at the crease.
Williams was next to go as she became Sharma’s second victim for eight to leave the Windies 20-2 in just the fourth over. Shabika Gajnabi came in at four.
At the end of the first powerplay, the Windies only managed 25 runs. The second ball of the seventh over saw the demise of Gajnabi for three off the bowling of Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Captain Matthews then joined Campbelle in the middle and the two batted as well as they could given the team’s awful first powerplay.
They brought up their 50-partnership in the 14th over and looked set to bat through the remaider of the innigs before Campbelle’s 57-ball knock finally ended in the 18th over when she was caught brilliantly on the boundary by Amanjot Kaur off the bowling of Radha Yadav.
Deepti Sharma took 2-29 from her four overs while Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Radha Yadav took 1-16 and 1-10 from four overs, respectively.
Scores: India Women 167-2 from 20 overs, West Indies Women 111-4 from 20 overs.
India now has two wins from as many games in the Tri-Series while the West Indies have now lost their first two games. The West Indies will next play South Africa on Wednesday. South Africa won the first clash between the two by 44 runs on Saturday.
Australia were left frustrated as they ran out of time chasing victory in the rain-affected third Test against South Africa at the SCG, which ended as a draw on Sunday.
The hosts needed 14 wickets on the final day to secure victory and a clean sweep of the three-game Test series, but were denied despite bowling out the Proteas and enforcing the follow-on.
South Africa finished 106-2 in their second innings, having been bowled out for 255 shortly before tea. Australia needed nine wickets in the final session but eventually opted to shake hands with five overs left.
Pat Cummins' side were left frustrated after a series of unsuccessful reviews including several LBW appeals from Nathan Lyon which reverted to the umpires' call.
Steve Smith was also denied a crucial catch by the third umpire for the second time in the match, when Heinrich Klaasen edged to first slip off a frustrated Lyon in the second innings. Lyon bowled 40 first-innings overs, taking 2-88 before toiling away for 0-32 from 15 overs in the second innings.
South Africa will be content to have shown some final-day fight after a lopsided series with Sarel Erwee (42no) and Temba Bavuma (17no) unbeaten.
The tourists had resumed at 149-6 with Marco Jansen dismissed early, caught behind off Travis Head, but Simon Harmer (47) and Keshav Maharaj (53) teamed up for a gritty 85-run eighth-wicket partnership that halted Australia's push for victory.
Australia had their chances, most notably when Head dropped a caught-and-bowled chance from Maharaj, who lasted almost two hours alongside Harmer.
Maharaj eventually fell LBW to Josh Hazlewood, who also claimed the wicket of Harmer after Lyon had two reviews denied against him on 47. Hazlewood finished with 4-48 in the first innings on his return from a side strain.
After enforcing the follow-on, Cummins gave Australia hope when he had opposition skipper Dean Elgar caught behind by Alex Carey down leg side for 10, but the Proteas were stubborn enough to see out the draw.
Khawaja gets his reward
Usman Khawaja was denied a shot at a maiden Test double hundred, rooted on 195no, when Cummins declared on the fourth day pursing victory after day three was lost to rain but he was named Player of the Match.
Khawaja had a lean two Tests before his big knock, managing only 14 runs in his previous three innings against the Proteas. Coincidentally, David Warner was named Player of the Series after his double century at the MCG Test, yet he otherwise only scored 13 more runs in three other knocks.
Elgar struggles as skipper
Elgar endured a lean tour with his cheap dismissal down leg side in the second innings underlining his struggles since taking over as South Africa skipper in March 2021 from Quinton de Kock. The opener managed only 56 runs in six innings this series.
Australia require 14 more wickets on day five against South Africa if they are to finish the job at the SCG and collect a Test series sweep.
After a number of delays for rain and poor lighting over the first two days, the third day was completely washed out, forcing the Australians to declare after lunch at 475-4 in order to chase a result.
It meant stranding hometown hero Usman Khawaja on 195 not out, but the hosts would get to bowl 59 overs in sharp turning conditions while the tourists could realistically only play for a draw.
Any South African dreams of a two-day batting stand to salvage a gutsy draw took a blow when Josh Hazlewood (2-29) removed Dean Elgar for 15, drawing an outside edge through to the Alex Carey behind the stumps after returning from over a month out of the side.
Things went from bad to worse for South Africa when opener Sarel Elwee opted to leave an off-spinner from Nathan Lyon, only for it to clip his off-stump, departing for 18.
After captain Pat Cummins removed number-three Heinrich Klaasen caught behind for just two runs, the combination of Temba Bavuma (35 off 74) and Khaya Zondo (39 off 83) built a respectable partnership.
Ultimately the Aussie pace attack was too much to handle, with Hazlewood finding the edge of Bavuma before Cummins landed a yorker on Zondo's toes for a plumb LBW.
Cummins took one more in the fading light – Kyle Verreynne's edge to Steve Smith in the slips – to finish the day with team-best figures of 3-29 from 14 overs as South Africa finally reached stumps at 149-6, trailing by 326.
Khawaja reaches new heights at home ground
With his 195no – his fourth not-out from 10 innings at his home ground – Khawaja raised his Test average at the SCG to 130.83.
It is the third-highest Test average for any batter with more than three innings at the ground, trailing only England's Wally Hammond (161.6 from six innings) and India's Sachin Tendulkar (157.0 from nine innings).
Frank Worrell and Sachin Tendulkar are the only other batters in Test history to have been in the 190s when their captains declared.
Hazlewood illustrates Australia's fast-bowling 'problem'
Australia currently have an embarrassment of riches in the fast-bowling department, and it has reached a stage where an elite talent like Hazlewood is fighting for his spot.
Having not played for Australia since a Test against the West Indies in late November, Hazlewood reminded everyone just how good he is, finding the edge of both Elgar and Bavuma to put the hosts in a winning position.
With Scott Boland also boasting historic Test figures, as well Michael Neser and Lance Morris champing at the bit for their opportunity, it creates a good problem for the Aussies to have in an Ashes year.
Rain has forced the third day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG to be abandoned without a ball being bowled on Friday.
Persistent downpours in Sydney mean Australia captain Pat Cummins faces a dilemma on when to declare with his side in complete control at 475-4 with Usman Khawaja (195*) and Matthew Renshaw (5*) at the crease.
Time is running out for Australia to complete a clean sweep of the three-game Test series, after 57 overs were lost on the opening two days before Friday's complete washout.
The Sydney forecast is for improved weather on the remaining two days, with a shower or two predicted for Saturday, followed by partly cloudy conditions without any rain on Sunday.
There are 196 overs remaining in the Test, meaning Cummins will need to be decisive, but likely will allow Khawaja to reach a maiden double hundred.
Australia will be motivated to secure the victory clinch their first-ever spot in the ICC World Test Championship final to be played in June.
The Aussies are due to travel to India for a four-game Test series starting in February.
Sydney's rain curse persists
Sydney's poor run of rain impacting Tests in January continues, with a total of 25 days washed out due to rain in 110 Test matches at the SCG. Over the past eight years, 64 per cent of days during the SCG Tests have been impacted by rain.
Elsewhere, Perth has never had an entire day's play washed out, while Hobart (one) and Adelaide (two) have had minimal issues, while Brisbane and Melbourne have lost eight and nine full days respectively.
Steve Smith is unsure how long he will carry on playing for Australia after surpassing the great Don Bradman's tally of Test centuries at the SCG on Thursday.
Smith reached three figures for the 30th time in the longest format on day two of the third Test against South Africa, making 104 on his home ground before Australia closed on 475-4 with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195.
Only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32) have more Test hundreds for Australia than the 33-year-old Smith, who moved level with Matthew Hayden's haul.
The former captain is not thinking about his future as he enjoys living in the moment.
When asked about his future, he said: "I don't know, we'll see. I'm enjoying it at the moment. I really can't say how long I'll play for, I'm not sure.
"Take it one tour at a time, enjoy it, enjoy training and trying to get better. Whilst I'm doing that I'm happy playing, but don't know how long it will last."
Australia will fancy their chances of securing a 3-0 whitewash of the Proteas in Sydney as they look certain to seal their place in the Test Championship final at The Oval in June.
Smith is relishing the opportunity to pass on his experience to his team-mates as he continues to rack up the runs.
"It's [about] trying to get better, help the team win games of cricket," he added. "I think we've played some really good cricket the last 12 months…we've got two really big hurdles in front of us with India and the Ashes.
"For me, it is trying to get better and trying to help some of the other batters coming through.
"I still try to help Marnus [Labuschagne] as much as possible, [Travis] Head, Cameron Green, Matty Renshaw, Marcus Harris…try to impart as much knowledge of conditions and ways to go about.
"If I can say something and you see that lightbulb go on and someone figures something out I get a big thrill out of that. I'll try and help them as much as I can."
Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith scored centuries as Australia built a massive lead before rain intervened again on the second day of the third Test against South Africa at the SCG on Thursday.
Australia were 475-4 at stumps after play was interrupted by light rain at drinks in the final session with Khawaja unbeaten on 195* alongside Matt Renshaw (5*).
The hosts were utterly dominant, beating the Proteas into submission, with only two wickets falling across 84 overs bowled for the day. However, the issue of time remaining in the Test looms large after more delays on day two, with grim weather forecast for Sydney in the coming days.
Khawaja had resumed alongside Smith with Australia 148-2 after only 47 overs were bowled on day one due to a combination of bad light and rain.
After an early rain delay, the 36-year-old left-handed opening batsman led from the front, bringing up his 13th Test century late in the opening session with two off Kagiso Rabada.
Khawaja celebrated his third straight SCG hundred with an air-punch and a little jig. Smith brought up his half-century shortly after.
South Africa skipper Dean Elgar demonstrably discarded the old ball when the Proteas took the new ball shortly before lunch, but it led to few opportunities for the tourists.
Smith went on to bring up his 30th Test century, surpassing the great Sir Donald Bradman, pulled to the backward square leg boundary from Anrich Nortje to reach triple figures.
But the vice-captain was dismissed caught and behind by Keshav Maharaj for 104 in the next over, ending their 209-run third-wicket stand. That marked the pair's 10th century partnership from 33 innings.
Travis Head kept the game moving with aggressive stroke play, blasting eight fours and one six before being caught by sub fielder Rassie van der Dussen at deep square off the tiring Rabada.
Renshaw, who tested positive to COVID on day one and had to keep his distance from team-mates, batted late in the day before stumps was called.
Patient Khawaja bats through
Khawaja finished the day unbeaten on 195, having faced 368 deliveries with 19 fours and one six, batting through the opening two days, albeit amid numerous delays. The Queenslander's 195* is his highest Test score and he will be chasing a maiden Test double hundred on Friday.
Maharaj breaks duck
Proteas left-arm orthodox spinner Maharaj had endured a lean series prior to claiming Smith's wicket, which was his first in the three Tests. That dismissal ended Maharaj's dire record of 0-247 from 66.5 overs in the series.
Siya Kolisi will be staying in France after the Rugby World Cup, with the South Africa captain clinching a move from the Sharks to Racing 92.
The Springboks' first black skipper, who led his team to 2019 global glory in Japan, will be targeting a repeat when France stages the 2023 World Cup in September and October.
It has now emerged Kolisi has agreed a long-term deal to switch to the Top 14, signing up until 2026 with Paris-based Racing in a deal that will take effect after the World Cup.
The 31-year-old flanker said: "I am very enthusiastic about the idea of joining Racing 92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a visionary club that I have always admired.
"I would like to thank all those involved in Racing 92 and the Cell C Sharks for allowing me to take up this new challenge. Racing 92 have great ambitions on the pitch but also very encouraging societal projects, which corresponds to my personal values and mission."
In a statement announcing the signing, Racing said they would also collaborate with the Sharks in the long term on an exchange of ideas in a "broader long-term" agreement between the teams.
Racing chairman Jacky Lorenzetti said of Kolisi: "His deep culture of victory and his natural leadership make him a very great player who doubles as a deeply humanist man. He will bring additional positive energy to Racing 92."
Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said Kolisi had been "an instrumental and much-loved member" of the club since joining from the Stormers in February 2021.
"His well-documented and commendable leadership qualities extends far beyond the playing field," Coetzee said on the Sharks website. "His move to France is a new and exciting opportunity and we could not be happier for him."
Josh Hazlewood is hopeful he can reassert his place in Australia's bowling attack ahead of the third and final Test against South Africa.
With Australia having already wrapped up a series victory following an impressive rout at the MCG, Pat Cummins' side head to Sydney in search of a clean sweep.
Injuries to Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc have seen Ashton Agar and Matt Renshaw handed red-ball recalls for the match, while Scott Boland has impressed through the series, but Hazlewood will hope he can rediscover his form after returning from injury.
Having missed the majority of a home Ashes series just over a year ago, Hazlewood played only two Tests in 2022, though the paceman believes he still has a valuable position in the pecking order.
"I still feel like it's in place," Hazlewood told reporters. "It's always good to have pressure It's great to have options, and it keeps you on your toes.
"[Injuries have been] frustrating, definitely. I don't feel like I've been injured much. It just happens to be at the wrong time of the year.
"The Test matches are so close together now. Apart from that, [for] the rest of the 24 months I've been fit and firing. So it's frustrating when you think about it like that."
Green and Starc's absence will possibly open the door for Hazlewood to feature, though he will face increased competition again when the two return.
But the focus will be on ensuring a whitewash against the Proteas at the SCG, where Australia have lost just one of their last 21 Tests.
Australia have won their last three men’s Tests against South Africa at home, the last and only time they recorded a longer winning run against the Proteas in such fixtures was an eight-match span from February 1911 to December 1952.
South Africa meanwhile risk losing a fifth straight Test, matching the rough run they endured between February and October 2019.
Khawaja heads to happy hunting ground
While his team-mates have been racking up big scores against the Proteas, Usman Khawaja has struggled for form across the series, with a total of 14 runs over three innings.
But he heads to a venue with rich pickings. Just 33 runs away from 4,000 in international red-ball cricket, his Test average at the SCG of 98.3 is the third-best of any player at the stadium, behind Wally Hammond and Sachin Tendulkar.
Nortje out to frustrate foes again
It has been a humbling experience for South Africa with bat and ball, but Anrich Nortje will hope at least to continue being a thorn in the side of opposition orders in 2023.
Batters played and missed at 19 per cent of balls he bowled in Tests in 2022, the highest rate of any player.
David Warner has the "hunger and determination" to deliver for Australia once again, acknowledging he was glad to put his own doubts to rest.
Heading into his 100th red-ball game for his country at the MCG on Monday, the batsman had not scored a half-century in his previous 10 innings in the format.
But a glorious 200 formed the bedrock of a crushing victory over South Africa in Melbourne and reaffirmed Warner's talent as one of the finest openers of his generation.
After a difficult year, the 36-year-old was relieved to remind himself he still had the potential to deliver.
"Was there doubts? Yeah, of course, there were doubts in my mind," he said. "But for me, it was about just going out there and knowing that I've still got that hunger and determination.
"I still know what energy I can bring to the team. I think once I start losing that spark and energy around training, I think that's when I probably know it's time [to quit]."
With a tour of India and an Ashes series against England to come, discussions had been rife before the South Africa series of Warner calling time on his Test career before he was dropped for good.
He is not entertaining any idea of quitting now however, adding: "I'm running faster than a lot of these youngsters in [the dressing room].
"So when they catch up to me then I might think about pulling the pin.
"But I think the extra motivation for me is winning in India and completely winning a series in England. I've been told by the coach and the selectors that they'd like me to be there."
Australia's victory at the MCG wrapped up their first Test series win over South Africa on home soil in 17 years.
The third and final Test takes place in Sydney next week.
Selector Tony Dodemaide says picking Ashton Agar and Matt Renshaw has ensured Australia have been able to "cover all bases" for the final Test against South Africa.
Australia are on the brink of qualifying for the World Test Championship final after securing a first Test series win at home to the Proteas for 17 years.
They took an unassailable 2-0 lead in emphatic fashion at the MCG, hammering the tourists by an innings and 182 runs.
Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc are out of the third Test at the SCG after suffering broken fingers in Melbourne, so the selectors have bolstered the squad by calling up spinner Agar and batter Renshaw.
Agar has not played for his country in the longest format since September 2017, while Renshaw last played a Test against South Africa in March 2018.
Josh Hazlewood returns after recovering from a side strain, while paceman could make his debut in a Test that gets under way next Wednesday.
Dodemaide revealed Australia are keeping their options open and will make a call on the team after looking at the pitch in Sydney.
"It's a blessing to have Josh returning while Lance offers a genuine point of difference with his raw pace and skill," Dodemaide said.
"This squad will cover all bases for when we get to Sydney and assess the conditions closer to the Test match."
He added: "Matthew [Renshaw] is included as a versatile batting option who is in good form, including an unbeaten century in the recent PM's XI tour match against the West Indies
"Ashton offers a second spin option should the Sydney pitch be conducive to turn, as it has done in the past. He also brings a solid batting component."
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Nathan Lyon, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, David Warner
Australia have called in spinner Ashton Agar and batsman Matthew Renshaw to replace the injured Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc for the third Test against South Africa at the SCG.
Green and Starc both sustained finger injuries in the second Test against the Proteas at the MCG, which concluded on Thursday with victory by an innings and 182 runs, ruling them out of the final game starting on Wednesday.
Josh Hazlewood is available for selection after missing the last three Tests with a side strain, meaning he is likely to come into the side as a direct replacement for Starc.
Agar, who memorably made 98 on his Test debut in the 2013 Ashes, looms as the probable replacement for all-rounder Green, with Australian selectors eager to add a spinning option alongside Nathan Lyon at the SCG.
"Ashton offers a second spin option should the Sydney pitch be conducive to turn, as it has done in the past," selector Tony Dodemaide said. "He also brings a solid batting component.
"Matthew is included as a versatile batting option who is in good form, including an unbeaten century in the recent PM’s XI tour match against the West Indies.
"In terms of fast bowlers, it’s a blessing to have Josh [Hazlewood] returning while Lance [Morris] offers a genuine point of difference with his raw pace and skill.
"This squad will cover all bases for when we get to Sydney and assess the conditions closer to the Test match."
Left-arm orthodox spinner Agar has played four Tests, the last coming in 2017, taking nine wickets and scoring 195 runs.
Renshaw, who last played a Test in 2018, has scored 310 runs in eight innings for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this season.
Cricket Australia confirmed Starc is unavailable with a small fracture to his left middle finger, while Green is out with a fracture to his right index finger.
Australia have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game Test series.
Australia squad : Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, David Warner
Dean Elgar says South Africa are learning in the "most ruthless and brutal way" after Australia consigned them to a crushing Test series defeat.
The Proteas were hammered by an innings and 182 runs on day four of the second Test at the MCG after being bowled out for only 204.
Victory for Australia sealed their first Test series triumph over South Africa on home soil for 17 years, with one match left to play.
Elgar criticised the lack of first-class and Test cricket the Proteas are exposed to and called for that to be changed.
The South Africa captain said: "Hopefully that spiral can come to an end come next season where first-class cricket will be looked after a bit better.
"I know that is in the plans that we do potentially have more first-class cricket back home. But yes, it's a tough one. I've got to bite my tongue."
He added: "We need to be playing more Test cricket and our players need to be exposed to this level. Even though we're taking a hiding like we've had in the first two Tests here and the England series that we had, our players need to be exposed to that.
"Unfortunately we are all learning in the most ruthless and brutal way but I think there are more learnings out of this than going out and playing against a team that's of similar strength and we beat them."
Elgar stressed that it is not all doom and gloom.
"For me, it's about that positive affirmation that you have to give to the greater group," he said.
"I'm not going to go away from that because I still feel the guys that we have here are talented cricketers and hardened first-class cricketers, but they obviously just lack experience at the Test level.
"We've still going to show faith in them. And hopefully that turns things around. There's a saying in cricket – you're only one knock away from being back in form and got to believe that.
"For me, it's not just a cliche. I think there's a lot of merit in it. We have to still keep the encouragement and keep reminding the guys that they're not crap cricketers – let's put it that way and to be blunt."
David Warner will play for Australia for "as long as possible" after starring in his 100th Test to set up a series win over South Africa at the MCG.
Warner had not reached three figures in a Test since January 2020 before making a magnificent 200 in his landmark match in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old's double century laid the platform for a victory that sealed Australia's first Test triumph over South Africa on home soil for 17 years.
Australia's win by an innings and 182 runs moved Pat Cummins' team a step closer to sealing a place in the World Test Championship final next year, and man of the match Warner is hungry for more after silencing his critics.
He said: "It's a phenomenal achievement by the boys. We saw some crazy stuff from [Alex] Carey and [Cameron] Green and that century from Carey.
"I never doubted my abilities. It is all about coming out here, I have trained my backside off in the nets. I just needed to get out there and perform on the big stage.
"I have obviously committed to play the next year's World Cup and I want to carry on for as long as possible."
Nathan Lyon took 3-58 and Scott Boland 2-49 as Australia bowled the Proteas out for only 204 to take an unassailable lead, while Mitchell Starc claimed 1-62 as he got through 18 overs despite a finger injury that will keep him out of the final Test.
Australia captain Cummins said: "The win is right up there. We have had a number of great contests against South Africa over the years. It's really sweet and something to be proud of.
"The way the two veterans of our side, David Warner and Steve Smith batted in the heat was as gutsy a performance in the heat. And then for Starc to bowl through injury, and Green to bat like that – we are really proud of that effort.
"Warner's energy was great and to do it in his 100th Test was great. Carey is one of our favourites. He has been awesome for us in white-ball cricket."
Australia skittled South Africa within two sessions on day four to clinch the three-game Test series with victory by an innings and 182 runs at the MCG on Thursday.
The Proteas had resumed 15-1 on the fourth day chasing the improbable target of 387 to make the hosts bat again, but were all out for 204 with the tea break delayed with play extended before the 10th wicket fell.
Spinner Nathan Lyon led the way with 3-58 while Mitchell Starc bravely bowled through pain with an injured finger, taking the opening wicket of the fourth day to finish with 1-62.
Temba Bavuma offered the Proteas' toughest resistance with 65 across more than three hours, but had little support, with Kyle Verreynne the next best with 33.
The tourists were not helped by two run outs on the fourth day, but they appeared a side deflated by the task at hand and the gulf in quality.
South Africa had got through to lunch at 120-4 with Bavuma and Verreynne combining for a 63-run stand, but when the latter was trapped LBW by Scott Boland, the side quickly fell apart in the second session.
Lyon trapped Marco Jansen LBW before Keshav Maharaj was run out by Marnus Labuschagne, with Australia's off-spinner dismissing Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada in quick succession shortly after, before Steve Smith bowled the wild-swinging Lungi Ngidi to seal victory.
Warner crowned for double hundred
Opening batsman David Warner was named Player of the Match after his second-day double century, which reinforced his worth in the side, having come into the game under pressure to hold his spot. Warner's century, coming in his 100th Test match, was the 25th of his Test career.
Walked wounded for Aussies
Australia's victory means they have an unassailable lead in the series but they have a list of headaches ahead of the third Test in Sydney next week. Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green both have finger injuries, with both set to miss the game at the SCG, while Lyon required treatment on day four for a shoulder concern. Australia's next Test series after this is in India in February.
Australia have skittled South Africa within two sessions on day four to clinch the three-game Test series with victory by an innings and 182 runs at the MCG on Thursday.
The Proteas had resumed 15-1 on the fourth day chasing the improbable target of 387 to make the hosts bat again, but were all out for 204 with the tea break delayed with play extended before the 10th wicket fell.
Spinner Nathan Lyon led the way with 3-58 while Mitchell Starc bravely bowled through pain with an injured finger, taking the opening wicket of the fourth day to finish with 1-62.
Temba Bavuma offered the Proteas' toughest resistance with 65 across more than three hours, but had little support, with Kyle Verreynne the next best with 33.
The tourists were not helped by two run outs on the fourth day, but they appeared a side deflated by the task at hand and the gulf in quality.
South Africa had got through to lunch at 120-4 with Bavuma and Verreynne combining for a 63-run stand, but when the latter was trapped LBW by Scott Boland, the side quickly fell apart in the second session.
Lyon trapped Marco Jansen LBW before Keshav Maharaj was run out by Marnus Labuschagne, with Australia's off-spinner dismissing Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada in quick succession shortly after, before Steve Smith bowled the wild-swinging Lungi Ngidi to seal victory.
Warner crowned for double hundred
Opening batsman David Warner was named Player of the Match after his second-day double century, which reinforced his worth in the side, having come into the game under pressure to hold his spot. Warner's century, coming in his 100th Test match, was the 25th of his Test career.
Walked wounded for Aussies
Australia's victory means they have an unassailable lead in the series but they have a list of headaches ahead of the third Test in Sydney next week. Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green both have finger injuries, with both set to miss the game at the SCG, while Lyon required treatment on day four for a shoulder concern. Australia's next Test series after this is in India in February.
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