Alex Carey’s maiden Test hundred has helped propel Australia to a dominant lead over South Africa in a rain-shortened yet eventful third day at the MCG.
The wicketkeeper batter finished with 111 from 149 balls and smashed 13 fours en route to his first Test match century before Marco Jansen dismissed him late in the innings caught-and-bowled.
The 31-year-old came to the crease yesterday afternoon with Australia at 3-for-363 after Cameron Green retired hurt with a fractured finger.
The South Australian played superbly and reached a well-deserved century with Green – who was markedly hampered but returned to bat after Nathan Lyon was dismissed – alongside him.
The day started with Carey (9*) and Travis Head (48*) at the crease and a lead of 197.
Head brought up his 11th Test 50 early in the session but was knocked over by an Anrich Nortje peach the following delivery.
Double-hundred hero David Warner returned to the crease after retiring hurt and was shockingly dismissed by Nortje on his first ball at the crease.
Skipper Pat Cummins denied Nortje a hattrick but lasted just three balls total before nicking a Kagiso Rabada ball to the keeper.
Lyon put together a handy 25-run cameo before falling victim to Lungi Ngidi prompting Green to return out to the middle.
Green and Carey put on a 112-run partnership as the Australian total soared past 500.
The Australians eventually declared after Green reached his sixth Test fifty at 8-for-575.
Bad light threatened to derail play, however, South Africa took the field for their second innings and it did not take long for the hosts to strike with Proteas skipper Dean Elgar tickling a Cummins delivery down leg-side into the keeper’s gloves for nought.
Theunis de Bruyn was gifted a life after an uncharacteristic drop from Warner at first slip before rain ended day’s play with South Africa at 1-for-15 after seven overs and trailing by 371.
Carey became the first Australian wicketkeeper in nine years to score a Test hundred and the first since Rod Marsh in 1977 to score one at the MCG.
With Green unable to bowl and Mitchell Starc battling a finger issue, the Australian bowling attack looks a little light heading into Day 4 but the hosts still remain firmly in the driver’s seat.
