Third Test player ratings: Marnus’ fate sealed as Australia ponders generation next

Australia’s Test series in South Africa is over and it’s ended in major disappointment.

There was significant hope for a series win after winning the first match but now the Aussies have lost after terrible batting displays in the second and third Tests.

The first session of the last Test was the worst, with David Warner describing it as “un-Australian”.

Here’s our Australian player ratings for the third and final Test.

Travis Head - 5

Steady starts for the opener in both innings but guilty of blowing opportunities. His shot in the second innings was regrettable and Warner described it as “inexcusable”.

Matt Renshaw - 6

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Has proven he should be the mainstay at the top of the order. Was brilliant again for his 74 in the first innings and will regret not going on with it.

Strangled down the leg side in the second dig and won’t want to watch that back again.

Marnus Labuschagne - 1

It’s over. Labuschagne has been holding on for dear life and this third Test was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Looked dreadful and nervous for his five balls for his duck and then summed up his terrible form by leaving an lbw.

“You have to wonder if that’s the last time you see Marnus in an Australian shirt,” Graeme Smith said on SuperSport.

Cameron Green - 6

Any critics over the last few years could probably eat their words now. Australia looks better with Green in the side even if day five didn’t go the visitors’ way. Finished with 65 in the first innings and was the only batter to show some fight in the second. Did have some strange moments with the run out of Josh Inglis and seemingly avoiding the spin of Harmer but still contributed more than others.

Josh Inglis - 8

Sent a message to selectors that he’s here to stay with a brilliant century. Run out for 4 during the final chase but difficult to tell if that was his fault or if Green called him through.

Alex Carey - 6

A solid 80 helped stop Australia from another collapse but will look back at that reverse sweep in the second innings and wonder if that was really necessary.

Cooper Connolly - 4

Does Australia persevere with him now? Looked OK with the bat in the first innings but his shot in the second showed the maturity isn’t there yet. Mark Waugh described it as “lazy”. Finished with the one wicket.

Pat Cummins - 4

An uncharacteristic series from the skipper. Had a wicket drought which ended in South Africa’s second innings as he finished with 2-71. The biggest criticism will come from his decision to bowl first at the toss.

Mitchell Starc - 8

Keeps getting better with age. Claimed nine wickets for the match. But you wonder how frustrated he must be getting doing all the work with the ball and then watching the batters crumble.

Nathan Lyon - 5

Four wickets across the match and controlled things from his end. But Australia would’ve hoped for more wickets in the second innings and the fact Simon Harmer destroyed the Aussies won’t look good for Lyon.

Josh Hazlewood - 3

It was between him and Scott Boland for the third Test and didn’t repay the selectors with one wicket in each innings.