‘Disturbing’ Aussie trend exposed in South Africa’s dominant win
Following on, a rained out session and the heroics of Scott Boland were not enough to save Australia on day five in Gqeberha as South Africa finished off a statement victory to level the Test series.
The damage done in the first innings proved too much for the Aussies to overcome, with South Africa’s 425 followed by Australia getting bowled out for 99 shaping the second Test.
Australia’s Steve Smith reacts as he walks off the field after his dismissal on day five. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
The Aussies were bowled out for 295 in the final session, losing by an innings and 31 runs.
Travis Head did what he could on day five, making 121 and seeing off the majority of the second session, after the first was entirely washed out. He chopped on moments before the second new ball was due, leaving the middle order in a vulnerable place.
But aside from Head, and his partner in crime Boland, who made 40 and saw off 166 balls, the Australian batters once again faltered in the tough conditions.
And this time, the bowling attack couldn't save them to paper over the cracks.
“We were nowhere near our best across the board really,” captain Pat Cummins said.
“Clearly need to be a lot better than that if we want to compete. I think a loss can sometimes kick yourself into gear.
“You can maybe paper over the cracks sometimes in a win. Whereas I think in a loss, it makes you ask questions as a player of yourself.”
The bowlers weren’t even called upon for a second innings, something hard to fathom given South Africa at one point were 6-110 in the first innings.
It was just the third time since 1988 that Australia had been told to follow-on in a Test match.
Former Australian player Simon Katich believes the Aussie batters were greatly exposed without a dominant display from the bowlers, which they are generally able to rely on.
"They're so used to dominating with the ball, it's been one of the big strengths of this team," Katich told SEN.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen, centre, celebrates with teammates after taking the last wicket of Australia’s Josh Hazlewood. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
"We've seen them strangle teams time and time again, but when it doesn't go to plan and Australia gets behind the eight-ball, the batsmen are exposed.
"What we saw on day four was disturbing because it was not related to the conditions at all. There's been a lot of talk around the conditions, but Matt Renshaw proved in Durban you can make big runs in challenging conditions.
"That mindset has got to shift in Australian cricket and if it doesn't, we'll keep getting performances like this."
Head making his fourth ton as an Australian opener and Boland's all-round performance were the only positives for the visitors.
Boland rewarded the selectors' trust, taking five wickets in the first innings, before his incredible batting display showed up the specialists in the second.
It raises questions as to who falls out of the bowling attack to allow Lyon to return in Cape Town, if he does at all. Josh Hazlewood played through a stomach bug and only bowled 14 overs, while captain Cummins failed to take a wicket.
Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster once again failing with the bat will leave the selectors debating the XI, particularly with Cameron Green and potentially Josh Inglis available to be picked.
Wiaan Mulder was the destroyer for the Proteas on day five, bowling Head, Boland and Cummins. Every time the Aussies appeared to be gaining momentum, he was the one who shattered it.
Kagiso Rabada also took four wickets in the second innings, removing Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc on day five.
Katich believes the batting of Head, Boland and Carey on day five made the loss a little more honourable than the Aussies deserved.
"I think this has papered over the cracks a little bit, this second innings. I think it was partly due to South Africa only having three quicks and Rabada playing his first Test back," Katich added.
"Australia having Harmer bowling 45 overs was their best chance to survive, and they gifted him two wickets.
"This is a hammering. It's a bit like what Australia did to England in the Ashes without Hazlewood and Cummins.
"If Australia batted like (day five) in the first innings, this Test would have been a draw. They would have taken 100 overs out of the game.
"That first innings is something they're going to have to seriously look at because it is a concern."
Temba Bavuma was named man of the match for his first innings 179, while Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer making 85 and 82 respectively helped set up the victory early.
Cape Town will now serve as the decider.
