Key events
The southerly, I can attest, is very brisk, having just made my way to the ground from the north. It was up in my face like a nightclub bouncer.
Conditions: After glorious sunshine on day one, scorching heat on day two, and rain on day three, we now have cool blustery conditions at the MCG. How very Melbourne. Thankfully there should be no rain, but we’re looking at a top of about 20C with temperatures kept in check by a brisk southerly.
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Preamble
Geoff Lemon
Day four. Well, well. After two days in Brisbane this seemed a distant possibility. It hasn’t come about because South Africa improved, but because Australia batted for much longer, and there was some rain, and the over rates from both sides have been truly atrocious. But here we are, no ticket refunds from Cricket Australia. Unless things move really quickly.
The situation: South Africa are 371 runs behind, one wicket down, two days to play, against a team that has only batted once. It is not the sort of position that instils confidence, but it is also a chance to show something against the odds. An outmatched batting team can’t just exceed its deficiencies by leaning on sporting cliches about heart and determination, but at the start of a day, one never knows what might happen.
The one opening for South Africa is that the Australians are down two bowlers. Cameron Green is out for sure, and while Mitchell Starc bowled yesterday, it was in major discomfort and against what the medical staff had previously said would happen. If the visitors can get through a couple of spells from Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, they could make life difficult for Australia with part-timers needed to support Nathan Lyon. But then, Boland is the second-innings destroyer, after taking 6 for 7 here last year in the Ashes.
All set. Shall we?
