“For Starcy to come out with a pretty big injury (and) bowl like he did … really, really proud of this team.”
Having won the last three test series in Australia, South Africa’s proud record in the country lay in smoking ruins on Thursday.
It was their worst defeat in Australia, eclipsing the innings and 163-run loss in Brisbane in 1931.
Beaten by six wickets in the series-opener in Brisbane, Dean Elgar’s side head to the third test in Sydney with a host of problems and only pride on the line.
Australian paceman Scott Boland appeals successfully to dismiss South African batsman on the fourth day of the second test. Photo: AFP
“It’s not easy at the moment,” Elgar said. “I must say it’s a bit of a hammering that. We haven’t been up to speed with the kind of intensity that test cricket demands.”
Temba Bavuma scored the Proteas’ sole half-century in the second innings but the pint-sized number four was something of a liability for his partners, running out Khaya Zondo for one and Keshav Maharaj for 13.
After Maharaj’s dismissal, Bavuma then top-edged a slog-sweep off spinner Nathan Lyon to be caught for 65, leaving South Africa 176 for eight and the tail-end exposed.
Lyon finished with 3-58 for the innings, with paceman Scott Boland taking two wickets.
David Warner was named Player of the Match for his epic 200 in scorching heat on day two.
Starc set the tone with a sizzling yorker that trapped Sarel Erwee lbw for 21 after South Africa resumed on 15 for one in the morning.
“Nice way to do it,” said Starc after the win.
“It’s been an interesting week on and off the field with a bit going on but I think batting and bowling we adapted to all hurdles this week and it was a fantastic win.”
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