Australia beat South Africa by innings and 182 runs in Melbourne to seal Test series

Australia thrashed South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in the second Test to win the series with a game to spare.

The final Test in Sydney starts on 3 January.

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 began the series in second, is now fourth.

Australia captain Pat Cummins described his side, who have won seven of their 10 Tests in 2022, as “probably the best test team I’ve played in”.

“In terms of captaining, I don’t feel like I have to do much at all,” he said. “Everyone looks after themselves. You just kind of make sure the buses are on time, which the team manager does.

“It’s just in a really sweet spot at the moment. We can just sit back and appreciate the place that we are in because it’s really special. We’re having a hell of a lot of fun as well doing it together with some of our best mates.”