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Australia have finally broken the home-series defeat streak against South Africa and they did so in a comprehensive manner. There's still one more test to look forward to. The WTC finals qualification is on the line for both sides and no side is going to treat this as a dead-rubber. The Sydney Test begins on Wednesday (January 4) and we'll be here again to bring you all the action from that contest on Sportskeeda. In the meantime, do keep yourselves updated with further cricketing news and action from around the globe on this very platform. For the moment though, thanking you for joining us right through the course of this Test on behalf of the entire team here at Sportskeeda is the duo of Raghav Tikmany and Sooryanarayanan Sesha. See you around soon - goodbye for now!
Pat Cummins: It's right up there with the best Boxing Day wins. We haven't beaten the South Africans at home for the last twenty years or so and this is a very proud moment. The two veterans Smith and Warner batted out in the heat. Massive respect to Starc for bowling despite not being fully fit. Greeny did a terrific job with the ball. We've always seen Warner coming back when his back is against the wall, you could see the fire in his eyes right from ball one. Carey has really cemented his place in the side and a boxing day hundred is always special. Starc and Green are likely to miss the Sydney test. Boxing day is always a huge day in our calendar and this year it was even more important as we celebrated Shane Warne.
Dean Elgar: It's not easy to take this defeat, this was a hammering. We've got to do a lot of reflection going ahead. There are a few positives but not enough. We lack experience with the bat and losing plenty of batters in the last few overs of the first innings was costly, it's hurting us right now. There's still lots to play for, 4th January is around the corner and 2-1 will always sound better than 3-0.
David Warner is unsurprisingly the Player of the Match for his stellar double hundred. He is also presented the Johnny Mullagh medal for the same as is the tradition here at the MCG.
Here's what he has to say: Phenomenal achievement from the boys to get the series win on Boxing Day. Really appreciate how many people turned up. Just a fantastic achievement. Incredible stuff there by Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc and a fantastic hundred from Alex Carey. This one's right up there. Special occasion, 100th Test in front of a packed house at the MCG, what a place to turn it on. (Did he ever doubt your ability?) Never. As I've always said, it's always about coming out here, putting 100 per cent in, training my backside off in the nets. I've always got that in me to go and perform on the big stage and I was fortunate enough to come out and do it on Boxing Day. (Could this be his last Boxing Day Test?) You never know - I'm obviously committed to playing next year's World Cup. If I stay as fit as I can I'll carry on. If I get the tap on my shoulder I might have to go.
Mitchell Starc: There was a bit going on this week but that's what you need to do, you need to adapt. Really big win for us. (On his finger) It's not the prettiest thing but good enough to play this Test match. Especially with Greeny going down - his is a bit worse than mine but I think he'll come back quicker than me. I wasn't overly sure of what to do. It went better than I expected. Just nice to play a role and contribute. But I'll be out of action for a few weeks. Not sure (how long) but I'll head down to Sydney to see what the damage is. Obviously got a big India tour coming up so that's what I want to get ready for. (On David Warner) Unbelievable - to go through a bit of outside noise he's copped in the last few weeks and deliver like that, his 100th Test on Boxing Day, big respect to him. The way hhe and Alex Carey batted was great. Winning the toss and bowling first we were unbelievable. To get nearly 600 runs and give us bowlers an extra night off to do the job was fantastic. But Davey getting a ton in his 100th was amazing.
Australia win by an innings and 182 runs.
South Africa (1st innings): 189 all out Australia (1st innings): 575/8 dec South Africa (2nd innings): 204 all out Temba Bavuma 65 (144) | Nathan Lyon 3/58 (17)
Australia finally manage to win a home series against the South Africans after facing three consecutive defeats at home. They were right on top in this test from the very first session and they never backed down. The decision to win the toss and bowl first was met with some criticism but some fine bowling effort from the Aussies met with poor decision making from the South Africans, restricted them to a very low score. Verreynne and Jansen were the only ones who could step up as Green's maiden five-wicket haul helped the Aussies to trigger a late collapse.
Australia had no scoreboard pressure while coming out to bat. However, there was pressure on one guy in particular and he responded in the best possible way. Warner's place in the side was being questioned ahead of the tour given his lack of form in the longer format. He rose to the occasion on his 100th test with a fine double hundred. He looked motivated from the very first ball and made a statement to the selectors. Carey and Smith chipped in with big scores and helped the Aussies gain a mammmoth 386 run lead.
South Africa were completely deflated. Dean Elgar's poor run of form continued. Top order failed to deliver once again. Multiple run outs in a test innings made things even worse for the visitors. Bavuma and Verreynne were the only positives with the bat. The Aussie seamers did well to bag the top order wickets while Lyon cleaned up the lower order.
Australia will be overjoyed with this victory. They have strenghtened their chances of making it to the WTC final and they will look to whitewash the South Africans at the SCG.
Australia win! Smith gets the last wicket and there's no better way to wrap up the Shane Warne test with a leggie bagging the final scalp.
68.5 Steve Smith to Lungi Ngidi, KNOCKS HIM OVER! Australia wrap up the series! And that's a top nut from Smith to ensure they do it in style. Floats it full on leg stump as it turns away sharply. Similar to what the late great Shane Warne made a habit of and Ngidi swings with gay abandon. He misses, Smith hits the poles and that's that. Australia win by an innings an 182 runs for their first Test series win on home soil against South Africa in 17 years!
Lungi Ngidi b Steve Smith 19 (21b, 2x4, 1x6)
68.4 Steve Smith to Lungi Ngidi, flighted full at the stumps. Ngidi gets half-forward to pat it into the off-side
68.3 Steve Smith to Anrich Nortje, EVADES WARNER AGAIN! Brings out the reverse off a full length on off stump as it keeps low to Warner's right. The throw pings Labuschagne at short leg and he's hurt as well - Australia are having too many men on the firing line this Test!
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