South Africa's batting woes continue as Cameron Green makes his mark

Riding a wave of emotion provided by a festive crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground Cameron Green claimed the best bowling figures of his Test career as Australia bowled South Africa out for 189 on the opening day of the second TestPace bowler Green 527 gave the enthusiastic fans something to cheer about by triggering a lateorder collapse of five wickets for 10 runs as the 23yearold claimed his first fivewicket haul in Tests on MondayLeading the threematch series onenil Australia reached 451 at stumps before a crowd of 64876David Warner was unbeaten on 32 with Marnus Labuschagne on five leaving the home side 144 runs behind with nine wickets in hand after Usman Khawaja fell caught behind for one to Kagiso RabadaChoosing to bowl first Australia was on top shortly after lunch with South Africa struggling at 675 before Kyle Verreynne 52 and Marco Jansen 59 added 112 for the sixth wicketIt was South Africas seventh consecutive test total under 200But I felt like today was probably the first time in the last couple of games that we have sort of had more soft dismissals than not and thats probably the more disappointing thing Verreynne saidVerreynne said South Africas tailenders should not be blamed for the touring teams lowerorder collapse losing five wickets for 10 runsThe conversations are more based on the top six and making sure that we have enough runs on the board he saidIts more about just taking responsibility at the topOn a greentinged pitch South Africas batsmen had edged cautiously to 58 shortly before lunch for the loss of Sarel Erwee 18 and Theunis de Bruyn 12Captain Dean Elgar 26 attempted a risky single to midoff in the penultimate over before the interval and was run out by a direct hit from Marnus LabuschagneMitchell Starc removed Temba Bavuma caught behind for one off the next delivery to leave the tourists teetering at lunchIn the fifth over after lunch Khaya Zondo on five aimed a powerful drive to midoff where Labuschagne held a superb diving catch at 675 as Starc 239 claimed his second wicket of the innings South Africa had lost four wickets for 11 runsDropped at short leg on 22 and on the legside boundary on 37 Jansen helped steady South Africas innings reaching his maiden halfcentury with a lofted boundary to longon after Starc failed to hold a difficult catch Starc briefly left the field for treatment on a sore middle fingerStill pinching himself after last weeks decision by Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians to pay over 2 million at auction for his services in 2023 allrounder Green dismissed Verreynne caught at first slip at 1796Green struck twice in his next over removing Jansen caught behind for 59 and Rabada bowled for fourStriking again in his third successive over Green forced his way through Lungi Ngidis defences to end the innings in the 69th overYou can have a really slow start to the summer and you think crickets so tough and then you have a few days like this and it brings you back said Green who claimed 410 off 28 balls late in South Africas inningsAt the same time when you go through a high cricket can bring you back down really quicklyAsked about last weeks lifechanging IPL auction Green added It probably still hasnt sunk in now Its a very special feeling and Im sure Ill remember that for a very long timeAlso readUnchanged Australia look to seal series in Boxing Day TestApart from cheering Green off the field fans also paid tribute Monday to Test crickets secondleading wickettaker Shane Warne who died aged 52 in March 2022 The Great Southern Stand at Melbourne Cricket Ground was renamed The Shane Warne Stand on March 31Fans were encouraged to wear floppy hats to honour the champion spin bowler Warne reached the milestone of 700 wickets on his home ground in Melbourne in December 2006Both teams wore white floppy hats when walking out onto the field for the national anthems on MondayA huge sign saying Warnie 350 was painted on the outfield to mark Warnes testcap number Play was stopped briefly at 350pm Monday prompting applause from fans and playersAustralias trophy for mens Test player of the year will be renamed the Shane Warne Mens Test Player of the Year Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association announced on MondayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever