Australia vs South Africa Boxing Day Check stay: Marnus Labuschagne catch, Scott Boland, batting collapse, video rating, updates

The long-lasting match on the sporting calendar couldn’t come quickly sufficient after Australia gained the primary Check in Brisbane in two days. Victory in Melbourne will seal the collection win for the Aussies.

Watch Australia v South Africa. Each take a look at match stay and ad-break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >

Australian captain Pat Cummins made the shocking option to bowl first after successful the toss.

The MCG pitch is nowhere close to as inexperienced because the raging deck on the Gabba however groups historically bat first in the event that they win the toss in Melbourne.

“It’s barely in opposition to custom — Australia successful the toss and bowling,” Mark Waugh mentioned on Fox Cricket.

“It’s in all probability a comibation of a little bit of grass on the pitch, the fragility of South AFrican battling line-up and the standard of the Australian quick bowlers.”

Starc leaves the sector after catch try

Mitch Starc has left the sector instantly after going near catching South Africa’s Marco Jansen.

The strike introduced up Jansen’s first Check 50 however it raised loads of issues for Starc.

Instantly the large fast put his hand up and left the sector, barely swinging his left hand after he went near nabbing a catch.

Jansen hit one other 4 to complete the over, taking his partnership with Kyle Verreynne to 100.

It was revealed it was not dislocated and Starc was testing the finger out.

MCG stops for Warney tribute

When the time hit 3.50pm, the MCG stood as one to rejoice the life and legend of Victoria’s favorite son Shane Warne.

The cricket world remains to be in shock on the legends dying earlier this yr because the deliberate celebration noticed the stadium cease and cheer for Warne.

With followers sporting floppy white hats in tribute, many chanted “Warney” and waved his signature hat in a cultured tribute.

‘Completely kidding me’: SA let off the hook

Australia have let South Africa again into the match after probably the most difficult session the facet has had this summer season.

Australia have been dominating the West Indies and South Africa however the guests have let themselves again into the match after being gifted a possibility.

It was 4/58 at lunch and shortly 5/67 when Khaya Zondo was caught spectacularly by Marnus Labuschagne.

However Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen have batted South Africa again into the match.

At tea, Verreynne was 40 not out and Jansen 38 not out.

Nonetheless, a matter of balls earlier than the break, Jansen lash out at Pat Cummins, hitting a catch to Usman Khawaja simply behind sq. leg, just for the Queensland skipper to spill the ball.

It was the one factor which had gone flawed within the plan.

On Fox Sports activities, Ian Smith mentioned: “You’re completely kidding me. Discuss a plan… goodness me.”

Khawaja had simply been moved from a leg gully place earlier within the over.

“You receives a commission to take these,” Kerry O’Keeffe mentioned.

“That hurts,” Mark Waugh added.

Smith continued: “The worst half about it’s there are in all probability 65,000 individuals right here and each one in every of them knew that was on. Each one in every of them knew that was on. Staggering.”

It was one in every of 4 dropped catches.

Labsuchagne dropped a low catch at brief leg off Jansen, whereas Pat Cummins had dropped one off his personal bowling and Nathan Lyon had dropped a tricky likelihood at level within the first session.

South Africa are 5/144 at tea.

Marnus takes a screamer

Marnus Labuschagne is having an absolute blinder within the subject.

After pulling off a wonderful run out, he took a screamer of a flying catch fielding at cowl to dismiss Khaya Zondo to have South Africa 5 wickets down after the lunch break.

South Africa collapse in a heap

Australia’s daring name to bowl first paid off.

Scott Boland struck first, catching the sting of Sarel Erwee, who edged via to Usman Khawaja within the slips for 18.

South Africa made a stable begin however crumbled to be 4/58 at lunch after Sarel Erwee top-edged to Alex Carey, Dean Elgar was run out by Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc caught the surface fringe of Temba Bavuma with an absolute peach.

“That is horrible for South Africa,” Mike Hussey mentioned on Fox Cricket after South Africa misplaced three wickets for 2 runs.

Boland, the cult hero from final yr’s Boxing Day Check, is the most well-liked man on the MCG, being greeted with large roars from the group each time he touches the ball within the outfield.

Touching tributes to Shane Warne

Emotional scenes are anticipated on the first Boxing Day Check since Shane Warne died earlier this yr.

A number of tributes are deliberate to honour the late spin king, who famously took his 700th Check wicket on the MCG in 2006.

A pre-match ceremony pays tribute to the function of the MCG in Warne’s profession, and his personal floppy hat and a ball might be on the entrance to the sector as gamers stroll previous on their approach out for the nationwide anthems.

Followers are being inspired to put on a large brim hat and zinc like Warne did, whereas Australia’s gamers will briefly put on the white floppy hat as a substitute of the dishevelled inexperienced.

‘Warnie 350’ has been painted on the MCG turf in the course of the match, in honour of Warne’s Check cap quantity.

After his dying in March, the MCG’s Nice Southern Stand was renamed The Shane Warne Stand.

Boland retains his spot

Victorian Scott Boland will get the possibility to repeat his heroics from final yr’s Boxing Day Check after it was confirmed he’ll maintain his place in Australia’s line-up.

Captain Pat Cummins revealed Josh Hazlewood was very near coming back from a facet pressure however dominated himself out of choice as a result of he wasn’t 100 per cent match.

“We gave Joshy each likelihood,” Cummins mentioned.

“It obtained to the stage the place Joshy greater than anybody else simply felt he was a bit of bit underdone. I believe it’s a mark of the person Joshy that he type of mentioned ‘I simply don’t really feel fairly proper, so he pulled himself out of choice.

“We’ve talked loads about the way it’s a squad mentality and I believe that’s one other nice instance.”

“It could have been (onerous to depart Boland out). Once more, we didn’t actually get to the choice level,” Cummins mentioned.

“I believe (individuals) may have felt a bit of bit aggrieved if Scotty missed out.

“Nice to have a Victorian right here. At all times get that fantastic assist. Final yr was just about the spotlight of the summer season for all of us was this MCG Check and the reception Scotty obtained so hopefully a bit extra of it this yr.”

South Africa has made one change, bringing in Theunis de Bruyn for Rassie van der Dussen.

Initially printed as Australia vs South Africa Boxing Day Check stay: Marnus Labuschange takes a screamer