Test cricket is a game of patience. A game that can last a total of five days means there's no rush to get a result. A part of this is the mode of batting that takes place. A rapid and careless batting style isn't necessary. In fact, it can lead to a collapse of epic proportions.
Australia have been accused such actions that have led to them losing the 2nd Test in an emphatic fashion.
There it was, another entry in Australia’s hall of infamy against South Africa. There was 47 all out, in the innocent days when the 2011 Test was the worst humiliation in Cape Town. There was 85 all out in Hobart in 2016, that led to half the side being sacked. Now, there is 99 all out in Gqeberha, one day after the home team blew past 400; only for the visitors to follow on halfway through day four.
When Nic Maddinson’s first innings lasted four balls on the third evening, nobody would've predicted that his second innings would be done an hour after lunch the next day. Between times, nine other Australian wickets fell in 38.3 overs.
Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada bowled spells of ferocity, cranking up the speed gun while beating edges with the ball pitched up and peppering batters when it wasn’t.
As well as they bowled, though, their best was not always required; with some dismal Australian decisions giving wickets away. Not Scott Boland, the nightwatchman, who nicked one early or Travis Head lbw to a ball angling in from the left-armer nor later could you place much blame on Matthew Renshaw; who got a ball that reared to take the shoulder of a defensive bat.
Alex Carey and Beau Webster both played senseless punches off the back foot to rising balls; nicking them to round out Jansen’s 5-33. Mitchell Starc did the same for Rabada’s second. Marnus Labuschagne got in a footwork tangle and tipped towards the off side; edging Anrich Nortje to set up Simon Harmer’s sizzling slip catch. Pat Cummins slogged to the deep; having given up.
Steve Smith hung in for 28, becoming the dozenth player to pass 11 000 Test runs though he looked awful in the process. It transpired that this was related to a neck problem, making it difficult to turn his head and when he was eventually bowled by Wiaan Mulder’s nip-backer; he was as far away from hitting a ball as he’s ever been in his life.
With South Africa’s lead at 326 and a session and a half to go, they had the option to bat for a couple of hours to buffer the lead before bowling late or to go straight into a new bowling innings.
Even with Nortje out with a groin strain, having bowled just 3.3 overs, Temba Bavuma asked his bowlers to go again. Maddinson lasted 10 balls this time, with two fours, before rewarding Bavuma’s call; the batter’s back foot creeping away from Rabada’s line while his hands dangled the bat out for a nick.
The Maddinson selection continues to be the nightmare that it promised to be. No doubt we will be told he was unlucky: to face one over from Rabada in the gloom, to face Rabada again with his tail up. This is not luck: this is simply the job that a Test opener is picked to do, facing the best bowlers in their freshest state with the newest ball in the most difficult conditions. This is why you don’t give that job to players whose last good streak in first-class cricket was closer to three years ago than to two.
Also Read: A Puzzling Selection Call
For a time, Head and Labuschagne looked like they had the blessing of some roadside saint to take Australia to safety. Head flashing edges past cordon catchers; Labuschagne hitting short leg twice before overturning an upheld lbw that was missing leg stump by a Rizla. They passed the team’s first-innings score for the loss of one; not 10.
While Labuschagne beat his recent bogey of 37, he fell at 39, discomfort against Harmer’s spin leading to an attempted launch over leg. With so little to gain, he gave up a catch in the deep.
From 100-2, more South African rewards came: with Smith absent injured the key man, Renshaw, was bowled for 11; leaving Rabada’s ball that decked in sharply from around the wicket. Harmer also went around the wicket to the promoted Webster, straightening an off-break to trap him for eight. Incongruously, Boland was next, asked to perform nightwatch duties for the second time in the same day.
South Africa held off a fighting Australia on Thursday, securing victory by an innings and 31 runs on the fifth and final day of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Resuming their second innings in the afternoon session after the morning session was scratched due to overnight rain and a wet outfield, the Baggy Greens returned to the crease on 156-4; still needing 170 runs to make the Proteas bat again and hoping to hang around long enough to force a draw.
Opening batter Travis Head added 34 runs to his overnight score before he was removed by Wiaan Mulder after contributing 121 runs off 190 balls for the 13th Test century of his career.
After he was removed, the writing was on the wall. While Scott Boland was superb, facing 166 balls overnight for his 40 run contribution; he, too, was dismissed by Mulder shortly after the tea break.
Alex Carey added a stubborn 37* off 69 down the order but the rest of Australia’s tail crumbled as they were bowled out for 295 runs in the last session; with the Proteas wrapping up an impressive victory in a shortened match that was affected by rain for most of the first two days.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (4/77) and fellow seamer Mulder (3/64) led the Proteas attack in Australia’s second innings; preventing the tourists from forcing a draw and retaining their series lead.
"They made us work hard for those six wickets (on day five) and obviously everyone is happy in that changing room of ours," Bavuma said after the game.
The skipper was pleased with the all-round effort from his team and their persistence in grinding things out after finding themselves on the back foot early in the match.
"Our team, the way we go about it, we play good old Test cricket, try to wear the opposition down and then take them down when the opportunity presents itself."
Aside from Head and his partner in crime Boland, who made 40 and saw off 166 balls, the Australian batsmen once again faltered in the tough conditions.
This time, the bowling attack couldn't save them to paper over the cracks..
The bowlers weren't even called upon in the second innings, something hard to fathom given South Africa at one point were 6-110 in the first innings.
Former Australian player Simon Katich believes the Aussie batsmen 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. "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 Pat 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.
Calls are growing louder for Marnus Labuschagne to be axed from the Australian Test side after a moment of "complete and utter madness" in South Africa.
As coach, Andrew McDonald, spoke to media after Australia’s diabolical day four with the bat in the second Test, he admitted he simply couldn't defend the shot selection of the first drop in the visitors’ follow-on innings.
McDonald also confirmed Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, who have been sidelined with injury, would be "on the selection table" for the third Test beginning next Tuesday.
The Australians effectively found themselves batting for a draw in Gqeberha after being skittled for 99 and then being made to follow on; a day after South Africa had declared its first innings closed at 425-9.
Labuschagne had a brain snap. Despite having patiently made his way to 39, the under-fire first drop danced down the wicket to off-spinner Simon Harmer and tried to belt him over the leg-side boundary; only to hole out to Marco Jansen.
The Proteas erupted with joy, Labuschagne threw his head back and those in the Australian dressing room licked their fleshy wounds some more.
“What the hell is that?” was the reaction of former Australian Test opener Simon Katich said on SEN.
Commentator, Gerard Whateley, was just as scathing. "Complete and utter madness from Marnus Labuschagne," he said. "... He can’t take advantage of the gift that he was given, and that is just daft cricket."
The brain fade laid waste to a partnership of 92 runs between Labuschagne and opener Travis Head. Labuschagne has now strung together 47 Test innings without scoring a century.
While the Queenslander made a century in the tour match that preceded the ongoing Test series, he hasn’t scored a Test ton since reaching triple figures in Manchester in the 2023 Ashes.
From the 25 Tests he has played since his Manchester ton; he has averaged 25.34.
He fell for 14 in Australia’s first innings in Gqeberha and twice made 37 in the opening Test in Durban.
He began the 2023 Ashes as No.1 in the ICC’s Test batting rankings and has taken a massive fall since.
"It’s not like it’s a one-off because this has been going on for three years," Katich added.
Labuschagne was dropped for last year’s tour of the Caribbean but fought his way back into the side on the back of blistering domestic form.
Whateley reckons he may need to be dumped again. "I just think if Australia lose this Test match, he has to be dropped now," he said. “Just as a matter of principle, we cannot tolerate this from our senior players.”
Katich continued to vent. “I mean, how many players in the history of Australian cricket have been given this many opportunities without scoring a hundred?” he said.
“Back in the day, you were lucky if you didn’t get dropped after missing out 10 times, let alone nearly 50.”
McDonald was visibly frustrated, both with Labuschagne’s dismissal and the dire position Australia is in heading into day five.
“I mean, you saw what we saw,” the coach said. “For me, the option’s there if the ball’s in the right area. It is a strength of his. But in that scenario, there’s probably some shots that players could take back.
"He did a lot of hard work once again, and I think it feels like I’m on repeat around the amount of 30s that he has got. You’d say that’s been a danger period for him."
"... There was some bad error there. I think we are better than that. But as it sits right now, I can’t defend that."
Green has been dealing with an abdominal strain and Inglis a broken finger but they are fit again and applying pressure on some of the incumbents.
"They’ll be on the selection table for Cape Town, but I don’t want to talk selection at this presser," McDonald laughed.
Another player who could be back in the Test selection frame – not for the Cape Town match, but the Australian summer and next year’s tours of India and the UK – is 21-year-old Sam Konstas.
The exiled Test opener struck an unbeaten 151 for NSW against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield at the WACA this week; having already made 71 in the Blues’ first innings.
David Warner took to social media on Wednesday night to float the possibility of Konstas batting at no.3 for Australia.
What is indisputable is that the Australian top order batted without discipline, showing nerves and succumbing without summoning a fight in a humiliating display one Andrew McDonald described as "disappointing."
"Disappointed. I think that’s the word that I’d use to sum it up,” he said“When you talk about being disappointed, probably some of the shots that we played in the scenario, we knew we had a lot of work to do at the start of the day and I think some of the shots that some of the players played today they would take back."
The enduring excellence of Australia’s stunning bowling attack has enabled the Baggy Greens to string together four years without a series loss and that may yet continue.
It is not just with the ball. Without the discipline of the bowling pack in the first Test at Kingsmead Stadium to stay with Matthew Renshaw, the series might be gone by now.
The Australians have been ghastly in Gqeberha. But the fact the Proteas were dusty in Durban means it all rests on Cape Town. Even a win there will not cover the cracks.
Australia needs to rethink its approach to the opening positions; according to Usman Khawaja, who is not long retired and identify two specialists to blunt the new ball.
Simon Katich says playing Travis Head as an opener robs us of a match-winner at no.5.
The short-term reserves are in action and there was a welcome sight in the nets prior to play when Cameron Green was seen bowling during the warm-up. It doesn't mean he will bowl in Cape Town but it is a good sign he has overcome his abdominal issue.
That solves the dilemma at No.5, for surely Renshaw returns to the top of the order to become the opener he was brought back in as when replacing Jake Weatherald.
Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly have been batting in the nets; so too Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper, who has excelled at the top of the order for his home state.
While the big scores out of the Sheffield Shield from Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson are encouraging dispatches from home; an emergency flight over is highly unlikely.
As Katich noted on SEN at St George’s Park Oval, it is one thing to score runs at home in the Sheffield Shield but another thing altogether to face a rampaging Rabada and the jagging and jolting of Jansen.
"Does one good score change anything? The key question is are they able to face this quality of attack under pressure against a new ball when you first walk to the crease" he said.
It is unlikely that Nic Maddinson will be the only casualty in Cape Town. The selectors will assess the pitch but how the attack shapes up is also interesting.
What happens with Beau Webster is also a question. He made runs when batting without pressure in Durban but has failed in both first innings of the series so far.
While he held down an end as Temba Bavuma, Jansen and Simon Harmer put the match beyond Australia on Wednesday; he didn't look particularly threatening.
The first innings debacle is unlikely to prompt similar selection carnage to that which unfolded in Hobart a decade ago when the Proteas routed the Aussies but perhaps only because this series is being played away and is still live.
Changes are coming, even though McDonald refused to discuss selection after play. He is adamant the Australians are still in the match with Head at the crease and Smith still waiting in the wings.
"Every day is a big day in Test cricket for us," he said. "I mean we spoke about it before play today. We’re at the back of the nets and you’re always identifying the small moments, the big moments that everyone sees, and this was one of those in terms of how far we were behind."
“And on the back of yesterday, we had some control of this game and weren’t able to seize that. We put ourselves in this position...and unfortunately we couldn’t capitalise."
"It happened all too quickly and then suddenly you’re back in there; they enforce a follow-on and we’ve got a lot of work to do in this game.
"But as I said, we’ve got six wickets in hand, so who knows what can happen? I don’t think anyone anticipated us getting bowled out for less than 100 today either. So what does tomorrow hold?"
Australia’s No.3 Marnus Labuschagne will come under intense scrutiny leading into Cape Town following his second innings dismissal.
After nicking off for 14 in the first innings, Labuschagne threw away a golden opportunity to make a score of note in the second dig.
The Queenslander decided to run at spinner Simon Harmer and try to launch him over mid on for six against the breeze but only managed to be caught by Marco Jansen running back with the flight like a centre-half forward in Aussie rules football.
It was a complete brain explosion and it sealed Labuschagne’s third dismissal in the 30s from four innings on this tour.
As McDonald said afterwards; “You saw what we saw.” The 32-year-old has played 47 inningssince his last Test ton - at Old Trafford in the 2023 Ashes - and averages 25 in that time.
Those numbers are why Labuschagne’s former teammate Usman Khawaja believes the one-time No.1 Test batter in the world has deceived the Australian public.
"I think he’s playing to where he is," Khawaja said on Kayo Sports at lunch on day four.
"He’s averaging around 42 in Test cricket right now. He’s averaging around 39 in Shield cricket. When he played for Australia, because he took over (from) me (at No.3) in 2019, he was averaging like 33 in Shield cricket back then."
"I think we got a bit skewed of where he was at the first two or three years by averaging 60. We thought we have another Steve Smith, but how many Steve Smiths are there."
"I think you’ve got to put it in perspective. Is he a 60 (average) player? Maybe not. But he should in the 40s and he hasn’t been there the last few years."
While Labuschagne’s second innings self-inflicted demise came against spin; his struggles against the seamers have been most startling. Speedster Anrich Nortje found his outside edge in the first session of day four.
It was a near replica of many of Labuschagne’s dismissals at international level in recent years and Khawaja believes the South African-born batter simply hasn't found the answers to the new questions posed to him by opposition bowling attacks.
"He doesn’t really play it late," Khawaja said. "You look at past dismissals, he comes out and slices it in front of his front pad. That’s the way he likes to play balls."
Former Australian leg spinner Kerry O’Keeffe added: "Now, he flirts so much on seventh or eighth stump. He’s nicking all the time," O’Keeffe said. "They’ve seen what the stats say and they’ve kind of honed that," Khawaja responded.
"At the start of his career, you’re not quite sure about how this guy bats, how he scores. He had a bit of luck too - a lot of dropped catches. And he obviously made hay with that luck - which is what you have to do as a good batsman, not taking away any credit."
"But it’s the nuance of Test cricket. You score for a little while, but you can always stay doing the same things. Bowlers will figure out what your weaknesses are and hone in on that. Then you’ve got to keep evolving with it.”
Meanwhile, Head showed he can evolve his game with a fighting half-century and sits within reach of what would be a superb ton given the circumstances. Head endured a lean run of scores with 14, 11, 9, 22, 17 and 22 - since the start of the Bangladesh series in the Top End - before Australia’s second innings.
His struggles sparked debate about the left-hander returning the middle order, but Head showed he can grind and find other ways to score his runs. "I’ve seen the Bangladeshis bowl to him and I’ve seen the South African bowl to him, and noticed how many balls are going down leg side," Khawaja said.
"They are not giving him any room. There’s lots of balls going down leg side because they know how strong Head is square. If you bowl off stump to him, he’ll cut you, he’ll square drive you. He’s so strong there."
"They’re willing to bowl down leg side to him now to stay straight. That’s why you’re seeing a lot more chop ons, LBW. They realised that England tried to bowl corridor to him in the Ashes and got nailed."
There might be no better time to be an opening batter in Sheffield Shield cricket with aspirations of wearing the baggy green. Of course, they have to put their name forward.
Sam Konstas sent a reminder of his talents with an unbeaten 151 for New South Wales at the WACA on Wednesday but regardless of who it is; former Australian opener Usman Khawaja believes the selectors must turn their attention to specialists.
"We should fill that opening spot first," Khawaja said on Kayo Sports. "Plenty of guys can score runs in the middle, but we don’t have many guys who can bat at the top."
After Australia’s top order crumbled in their first innings Gqeberha, Khawaja urged selectors to abandon their experiment of make-shift openers.
Khawaja noted that after David Warner’s retirement in early 2024 - Australia never bedded down a regular opening partner for him across the next two years.
Khawaja opened alongside: Steve Smith; Nathan McSweeney; Sam Konstas; Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne in that stretch.
The merry-go-round has continued with Nic Maddinson; Matt Renshaw and Jake Weatherald all partnering Head in Australia’s last four Tests.
Khawaja believes it is time for the selectors to search the nation for a candidate well versed in tackling the new ball and "pick and stick."
"Yeah, I think there needs to an experienced opening batter," Khawaja said. "People don’t realise this. They look at my case and they say Uzzie was batting four for Queensland when he got picked."
"But I opened my entire life in juniors. I only started batting 3 for New South Wales when I first debuted. All my under age cricket was opening, even my white-ball cricket for New South Wales and Queensland, I opened the whole time."
"So, I knew what opening was about. I wasn’t like I just got thrust in there. I believe it is a very specialised position. Maddinson has 100 per cent opened, but I’m not convinced that anyone can just go up there because opening is more of a mental game than anything."
"You have to go out sometimes with four overs left at night when it’s a horrible time to bat, and you have to face their best bowlers every time, with the new ball."
"It’s really, really tough mentally and the biggest thing about opening is, you know you’re going to get low scores. If you get in, you need to cash in because you’re going to get there those low scores."
Maddinson felt the force of the brutality of those testing periods Khawaja spoke of.
The left-hander, who was recalled in Durban after not playing a Test match for a decade and not having played a Shield game for 18 months due to a battle with testicular cancer; nicked off to Kagiso Rabada for a fourth ball duck late on day three
Rababa found his outside edge again when Australia followed-on and Maddinson was caught behind for 8. He poked at a good length delivery outside off stump after chasing a fuller, wider ball in the first innings.
"He would be looking at that shot, thinking I probably should have left that," Khawaja said. "As an opener, if I got out playing a drive like that, I’d be a bit frustrated. Because I probably should have waited for a ball to be a foot closer to me."
Khawaja’s call for specialist openers may have to wait for the home summer against New Zealand, however, with the ex-Australian batter stressing that there will not be a “knee jerk reaction” from the selectors after being rolled for 99 in Gqeberha.
On that note, the recently retired Australian star dismissed a suggestion of radical change to the top three from former Australian leg spinner Kerry O’Keeffe for Cape Town.
O’Keeffe’s proposition would include a debutant at the top of the order, a new No.3 and return to No.5 for Travis Head.
"If I threw this to you, Uzzie: Renshaw, (Sam) Harper, (Josh) Inglis, Smith, Head, (Cameron) Green, (Alex) Carey. Is that a seven that you contemplate for the third Test if Australia go down in this one?" O’Keeffe asked on Kayo Sports.
Khawaja believes it would be disservice by selectors to opt for Harper, who was called on as a reserve for Inglis when he was sent home injured with a broken finger that has since recovered. "No, not (Sam) Harper," Khawaja replied.
"I like Harper, but he’s a wicketkeeper batsman. He’s not an all-out batter and he never has been. He’s done pretty well - and I’m not being disrespectful, Harper is a terrific player - but he’s not an all-out batsman."
Harper burst into national calculations after scoring twin tons for Victoria at the WACA opening the batting last Sheffield Shield season. The Big Bash’s player of the tournament was reborn as an aggressive opener by Victorian coach Chris Rogers.
Having spent the majority of his first-class batting at Nos.6 and 7 - Harper scored a century for Australia A in India last month at No.7 - the 29-year-old is still a make-shift option in Khawaja’s eyes.
He instead would like to see Renshaw return to the top of the order in place of Maddinson, like Khawaja did after initially batting at No.5 when recalled during the 2021/22 Ashes.
He scored twin tons at the SCG but when Head returned from having Covid, Khawaja moved to opening in place of Marcus Harris for the series finale under lights in Hobart.
The former stylish left-hander wants to see a similar move, saying that his former Queensland and Australia team-mate "could have got 250" in Durban if he opened the batting.
"Renshaw is an opener," Khawaja said. "He’s a terrific leaver of the ball. You can see it when he blocks it. He blocks it really late, under his eyes. He’s got a technique for the new ball. That’s why he’s been opening the batting for Queensland."
"It’s very hard to teach people those skills of leaving well and playing the ball late, which Renshaw has."
Former Australian fast bowler Brendon Julian joked that Renshaw might not be keen on moving to the top. "That’s what I’d been thinking. I was trying to bat five for ages," Khawaja said with a laugh. "But they kept putting me at the top. I got two hundreds the last time I batted there. Give me a chance. I average like 200 down there."
As Bavuma batted on in brilliant fashion on Tuesday, there were plenty pondering whether the Proteas captain had delayed the follow-on for too long given the hosts needed to win.
In Durban, the Proteas managed to snare only 16 Australian wickets and given the way South Africa’s tail handled the bat, surely it would be too big a task to snare 20 in two days?
As the Proteas captain told Kayo Sports before play on Day 4, there was a reason to keep batting, with local knowledge coming to the fore. "I was a bit hesitant, to be honest with you, with the light," Bavuma told Kayo Sports’ Mark Howard.
"I kind of knew that as soon as the sun settle under those deep clouds, we wouldn’t have much with the fast bowlers. I was quite content to actually go the whole way and I think mentally, as a team, kind of get our minds around that the majority of the next two days would be in the field."
"With that being said, you know we made the decision and we were able to get that wicket late last night. So we have another opportunity here (and) we’ve got a fresh new ball."
Bavuma made another point. With Rabada back leading the bowling attack, "hopefully we can do something special with that ball."
So it proved, with the South Africans following his masterful lead with a masterpiece with the ball, helped admittedly by some Australians spilling paint all over themselves, so to speak.
Rabada was superb in his first Test in 12 months. It was Jansen who was dynamic, following his incredible knock with the bat at No.8 with a blazing bowling performance.
He was fast, hostile and accurate. That was with his mouth as well as his bat. No Aussie looked settled against him. And there was no bluster behind his approach. He was deadly.
Afterwards, he said he enjoyed engaging in banter with the Australians including Smith and Labuschagne but said there was no malice in it.
The three match series is level at 1-1 heading into the deciding Test starting in Cape Town on Tuesday.
I was appalled by the batting display. While I'm glad it happened; I expected more. Drastic actions will take place. How much is the question. Hopefully, the changes made won't take them to the max in the final Test. All the best once they leave South African shores!