Australia lead the three-Test series against South Africa 1-0 after a quick victory in the first Test in Brisbane. The second Test gets under way at the MCG on Monday. Here’s a quick guide to what’s happening on the field
Last week’s two-day sprint of a Test match in Brisbane, plus the fact last year’s MCG Test lasted only one session into a third day, has heightened attention on the Boxing Day surface for players, administrators, spectators and broadcasters. As a consequence, Matt Page’s turf does not look quite as green this year, but will still offer plenty early in the game. Forecast temperatures of 33 and 38 for days one and two will also factor.
Anrich Nortje was aided by some extravagant movement off the pitch, but the moment late on day one did offer bowlers the slightest hope that in changing his technique to be more side-on while dispensing with the pre-delivery shuffle, Smith may now be a fraction more vulnerable to more conventional means of dismissal. This matters in Melbourne more than elsewhere: only Bradman has more runs at a better average than Smith’s 932 runs at 84.72 in nine Tests.
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