David Warner in brutal moment as Aussies collapse in Boxing Day Test
South Africa have roared back to life through Anrich Nortje, who prompted a batting collapse for Australia as the hosts face an injury crisis.
South Africa have roared back to life in the Boxing Day Test, after fast bowler Anrich Nortje clean bowled both Travis Head and David Warner in consecutive balls. The 29-year-old's hat-trick ball was well defended by Pat Cummins, but the two previous wickets were a big reward for the visitors' most potent bowler after Warner's double century on day two.
Warner returned to the crease after Head was dismissed after he retired hurt on 200 Tuesday, only to hear the bails fall behind him thanks to a terrific delivery from Nortje. Looking to play one down the leg side, the ball glanced off his right leg and cannoned into the stumps, bringing Warner's terrific innings to a somewhat underwhelming end.
BRUTAL: Cameron Green injury comes to light in crushing blow for Aussies
OUCH: Anrich Nortje hits out after scary Spidercam incident in Boxing Day Test
Given a standing ovation from the MCG crowd as he returned to the crease, Warner was unable to add to his already massive tally of runs, but the dismissal took nothing away from his incredible day two effort. Warner became the first Australian since Ricky Ponting to score a century in his 100th Test, and the second to score a double century after Joe Root did so against India in 2021.
The start of play was briefly delayed on day three after rain fell in Melbourne, but Head soon passed 50 when play was resumed and he returned to the crease alongside Alex Carey. Both Head and Warner were undone by deliveries that bore an uncanny similarity, with Nortje's delivery to Head also cutting across his legs and hitting off-stump to deliver the much needed breakthrough for South Africa.
While there was no hat-trick to be had for Nortje, the visitors were able to capitalise on their momentum with Kasigo Rabada removing Cummins in the next over. Australia had lost three wickets for just five runs, giving the Proteas a glimpse of hope with both Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green potentially unable to bowl in the second innings due to injury.
Cummins was out by the barest of margins, with South Africa sending their appeal to the third umpire. The hot-spot didn't reveal anything, but the snicko showed the barest of feather touches on the Australian skipper's bat - enough for him to be out caught behind.
Despite holding a healthy lead approaching 250 runs, Australia's injury concerns will give South Africa's so far uninspiring batting line-up some hope of hauling themselves back into the match after they were bowled out on day one. Regardless, fans were impressed by Nortje's continued aggression, with the South African quick being praised by Warner after a thrilling battle on day two.
'Goodness me, what are we seeing here!'
Anrich Nortje is on FIRE to start Day 3 🔥🔥🔥
📺 Watch #AUSvSA on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/x3WmKIJJ5N
📝 BLOG https://t.co/MHolPpxIB6
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/VWSOJuubJi pic.twitter.com/iWxUoKxb1A— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 28, 2022
Anrich Nortje, take a bow! Made my morning, it was worth staying up to watch an amazing display of fast bowling in Melbourne. Pace is pace, yaar 🔥🔥 #AUSvSA
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 28, 2022
Like with Mark Wood last summer, it would be unfair if Anrich Nortje didn’t finish with at least one five-wicket haul in this series for the heart and heat he’s brought to the crease ball after ball. Wood had to wait till the final innings. Hope Nortje doesn’t have to #AusvSA
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 28, 2022
Nortje deserves this. Has been a shining light this series for a very disappointing South Africa #AUSvSA
— Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) December 28, 2022
There has never been a hat-trick in Test cricket where all three dismissals were 'bowled'. Nortje's delivery to Pat Cummins was on target but safely kept out. #AUSvSA
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) December 28, 2022
Deflection off the pad. A heroic Warner innings ends in anticlimactic postscript. Nortje on a hat trick. #AusvSA
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 28, 2022
Finally Nortje getting rewards for his luckless spell yesterday 👏👏👏👏
Shame he didn't get a hat trick - probably deserved one! @ProteasMenCSA
#AUSvsSA @7Sport— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) December 28, 2022
Well done Nortje.
Finally a South African showing some fight. #AusvRSA— Dennis (@DennisCricket_) December 28, 2022
Australia desperate for tail to wag amid bowling injury drama
Allrounder Cameron Green has a fractured finger, putting him out of the attack for the rest of the Boxing Day Test. Green will bat again if needed, but will not feature in Sydney's third Test.
An Australian spokesman said on Wednesday morning that Green will not play again until next year's Test tour of India. "Green has a small fracture to his right index finger," the spokesman said.
Green's finger was bloody and swollen on Tuesday after a delivery from paceman Anrich Nortje jammed it against the bat handle. He was forced to retire hurt and went to hospital for scans.
It comes after Mitchell Starc also suffered an injury to his finger while fielding on day one, also ruling him out of the bowling attack for the remainder of the Boxing Day Test. He'll also miss the SGC Test in a bitter blow for Australia on what was otherwise a triumphant day two. Green's absence is a major blow after his first five-wicket Test haul on Monday to rout South Africa.
"That's going to be a big factor," Nortje said of the Australian injuries. "It's going to be crucial to bat for as long as we can.
"The more overs the bowlers are to bowl, the more maybe a backup bowler ... would have to apply themselves. "That's going to be a crucial stage for us ... work through the difficult stages with our top order and then try and cash in a little bit later."
With AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.