A weary South Africa face a mighty difficult task to avoid a big defeat in the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

South Africa reached 15 for 1 in their second innings at stumps on Wednesday, still requiring 371 more to make Australia bat again. Given that South Africa have failed to score 200 in their previous three innings in this series, and with their leading batsman and captain Dean Elgar already back in the sheds, the odds are against the visitors.

Only seven overs were bowled in the evening session before rain interrupted play, sparing South Africa further misery on Day 3. South Africa had lost Elgar for nought in the second over as rival captain Pat Cummins struck a key blow, removing the left-hander caught behind.

Theunis de Bruyn, dropped at slip on three, is batting on six with Sarel Erwee on seven.

Earlier, resuming on 386 for 3, Australia declared at tea on 575 for 8 in reply to South Africa’s first-innings total of 189. Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey (111) scored his maiden Test century, hitting 13 boundaries. Carey and Cameron Green (51 not out), who showed admirable composure against the short ball despite nursing a broken finger, shared a 117-run stand for the eighth wicket.

“I actually didn’t think he was going to walk out the race today (Wednesday),” Carey said of Green after the day’s play.

“But to see him put on a brave face, bat beautifully and allow me at the other end to bat as well enabled us to put on a really good partnership.”

South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt said the Proteas’ only hope to save the Test would be to “bat time”.

After action resumed on Wednesday, South Africa started well as Anrich Nortje struck twice in the third over of the day, dismissing Travis Head (51) and David Warner (200) in consecutive deliveries. Warner, who had retired hurt with leg cramps on Tuesday, returned at the fall of the fourth wicket but lasted only one delivery, playing all around a full toss which crashed onto his stumps via his back pad.

In the following over, Kagiso Rabada dismissed Cummins caught behind for four. Nathan Lyon (25) was out hooking at 440 for 7 before Carey and Green piled it on against the South African bowlers. Warner had dominated Day 2 by scoring his 25th Test century, reaching the double hundred in 37°C heat.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 and are very well placed to win the ongoing Test and wrap up the series as well. But pacer Green is unlikely to bowl again in the match because of the broken finger and pace spearhead Mitchell Starc is nursing a finger-tendon injury on his bowling hand which could result in him playing a limited role in South Africa’s second innings.

“It’s going to be tough to take those next nine wickets,” Carey said. “Mitch (Starc) came in and bowled at mid140kmph.

“The way he’s bowling, we don’t have too many concerns over him for this Test.”

Green, who claimed a career-best 5 for 27 in South Africa’s first innings, has been ruled out of the third and final Test in Sydney beginning on January 4.