Skipper Elgar left gutted by 'weak' Proteas in Melbourne: 'There weren't a lot of positives'

Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar admitted their performance in the concluded second Test against Australia in Melbourne on Thursday was pretty weak, saying it was a tough pill to swallow.

The Proteas may have crossed 200 for the first time in eight innings, but they were still crushed by an innings and 182 runs to concede their first series defeat in Australia since 2006.

Elgar, whose lack of form is also increasingly under the spotlight, said their inability to show up for such an important game was made worse by the equitable and fair conditions they were faced with at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

SCORECARD | Proteas v Australia, 2nd Test, Day 4

Elgar, who scored 26 and 0 as his missing runs in recent matches continue to hamper the Proteas' batting, understandably said there were more negatives than positives to their dismal showing.

"It was always going to be a tough pill to swallow, but there aren't a lot of positives. There are few, but the negatives outweigh the positives," Elgar said.

"It's a pretty weak performance I'd say, especially in conditions that were really good for Test cricket.

"We're disappointed in how things ended up. I still wanted to see us with a fighting chance and giving the Aussies a tough time by taking pride in our wickets.

MATCH REPORT | Woeful Proteas thrashed by depleted Australia to lose 2nd Test, series

"The way it unfolded was quite disappointing."

Once the Proteas were dismissed for 189 on the first day, they were in no position to force the Australian bowlers into long spells.

The case was the same in the second innings despite the hosts having injured bowlers in Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green.

SA batted for 68.4 and 68.5 overs respectively across the two innings, which was far from what was