Australia beat South Africa by an innings to clinch series win

Australia secured a crushing series victory against South Africa with a dominant win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

South Africa started the fourth day of the second Test on 15 for one – a deficit of 371 runs – after Australia declared on 575.

But the Proteas were dismissed for just 204 – with off-spinner Nathan Lyon taking three for 58 – as Australia raced to victory by an innings and 182 runs.

Nathan Lyon celebrates
Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP)

Temba Bavuma’s 65 was the only resistance of note before he perished to an ugly slog-sweep at Lyon.

READ MORE: Kisma Sport > Australia vs South Africa – Cameron Green caused a stir when he batted through the pain

Australia’s seventh win from 11 Tests in 2022 sees them open up an unassailable 2-0 lead over the Proteas.

The hosts’ comprehensive win rarely looked in doubt after David Warner marked his 100th Test by hitting a memorable 200.

Warner, 36, was awarded the player of the match for his first three-figure Test return since January 2020.

The concluding match of the three-Test series starts in Sydney on January 3.

Latest