Aussies win first series at home against South Africa since 2006

Australia has broken a 17-year three-series drought by defeating South Africa on home soil.

It was a comprehensive innings and 182 run victory at the MCG on the fourth afternoon with the Aussies now leading the series 2-0.

South Africa collapsed to be all out for 204 from at one stage 1/47 with Temba Bavuma (65) providing the only real resistance.

Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets, Scott Boland two while Mitchell Starc battled on with a broken finger claiming a wicket as did skipper Pat Cummins while Steve Smith came onto bowl and collected the final scalp.

Aussie skipper Cummins said across the four days it was some of the more gutsy performances he'd seen.

"I thought the way Davey Warner and Steve Smith batted in the heat was as gutsy a cricket [performance] as you're ever going to get,"

"For Starc to come out with a pretty big injury, to come and bowl the way he did; Greeny, injured and in pain, to go out and bat the way he did … I'm really proud of this team."

Warner was named the Johnny Mullagh medallist as the player of the match after scoring a double hundred.

Starc and Cameron Green (broken finger) will miss the Sydney Test as selectors are left with plenty to ponder including whether they play two spinners, replace Green with a like for like all-rounder and unleashing WA out and out quick Lance Morris.

The third and final Test gets underway in Sydney on January 4.

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