Australia v South Africa, Melbourne Cricket Ground
South Africa 189 (Green 5-27) and 204 (Bavuma 65, Lyon 3-58)
Australia 575-8 Dec (Warner 200, Carey 111, Smith 85)
Australia won by an innings and 182 runs.
Australia defeated South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in the second Test to win the series.
Resuming at 15-1 before tea on the fourth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, South Africa were bowled out for 204 runs.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed 3-58, joined by Temba Bauma with 65, while Khaya Zondo and Keshav Maharaj were run out needlessly.
The final Test will begin on January 3 in Sydney.
Australia, who won the first Test within two days, extended their lead over India at the top of the World Test Championship table. South Africa, who started the series at number two, are now at number four.
Australian captain Pete Cummins described his team, which has won seven of its 11 Tests in 2022, as “probably the best Test team I’ve ever played in”.
“In terms of captaincy, I don’t think I have to do much,” he said. “Everybody takes care of themselves. You just make sure the buses are on time, which is what the team manager does.
“It’s in a really sweet spot right now. We can just sit back and appreciate the place we’re in because it’s really special. We’re having a lot of fun as well as doing it with some of our guys. Have been. Best friends.”
South Africa captain Dean Elgar said: “It was a bit of a hammer, it’s not easy at the moment.
“We’re playing for a seed; we’re playing for our team’s pride. I’m sure a lot of people are hurting.”
In reply to South Africa’s 189, Australia’s victory at the MCG was assured after they declared 575-8, featuring a 200-run stand of 111 by David Warner and Alex Carey.
Although the tourists avoided a sub-200 total for the eighth time in a row, they never looked likely to take the game into the fifth day.
Bavuma was the only batsman to score more than 33 as Scott Boland claimed 2-49 on his home ground and Cummins, who removed Elgar on the third evening, conceded just 20 runs in 16 overs and overturned two decisions that T The umpire overturned. .
Part-time leg-spinner Steve Smith sealed victory by bowling Langi Ngidi in the Shane Warne Test.
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who bowled 18 overs in the second innings despite dislocating his finger on the first day, will be ruled out of the third Test.
All-rounder Cameron Green, who took 5-27 in the first innings and broke a finger during his unbeaten 51, has also been ruled out.
