The key facts
- Australia lost the second Test to South Africa by an innings and 31 runs; the series is 1-1 ahead of the third match in Cape Town.
- Australia's first innings was 99 runs; in the second they made 295, with Travis Head's 121 and Scott Boland's 40.
- The places of Labuschagne, Maddinson and Webster are in question; Cummins speaks of tough decisions ahead of the third Test.
Rout in Gqeberha
Australia suffered a heavy defeat to South Africa in the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha — by an innings and 31 runs. The three-match series is level at 1-1 ahead of the decisive Test in Cape Town next week. Australia were routed in the first innings, making just 99 runs, and were dismissed for 295 in the second. The only bright spots were Travis Head's 121 and a stubborn 40 from nightwatchman Scott Boland off 166 balls.
Reaction in Australia and Cummins' words
The nature of the defeat provoked a sharp reaction in the Australian press — headlines ranged from 'horror show' to 'shambolic Aussies' and 'brutal failures laid bare'. Captain Pat Cummins admitted that after such a defeat it is hard to 'paper over the cracks'. 'Obviously we need to be a lot better if we want to compete,' he said, adding that defeat can sometimes 'shake up' the team and forces every player to ask themselves questions, whereas in victory problems can go unnoticed.
Selection questions ahead of the third Test
Ahead of the third Test, the places of at least three players are in question. First and foremost is Marnus Labuschagne, who has not made a Test century for three years. Cummins noted that he 'does the hard part', scoring around 30 runs, but must convert them into bigger scores — 'thirties don't win matches'. Recently returned opener Nic Maddinson is also on shaky ground after scores of 0, 48, 0 and 8 in the first two Tests, and all-rounder Beau Webster is in a vulnerable position, according to AFP.
Replacement options and the Cape Town line-up
Cameron Green, who missed the first two Tests through injury, is expected to be available for the match in Cape Town; Josh Inglis has also recovered, with Cooper Connolly another option. It will be hard to leave out paceman Boland, who replaced spinner Nathan Lyon in Gqeberha: he took five wickets in the first innings and showed productive batting. Much will depend on the nature of the Cape Town pitch — whether Australia stay with four seamers or bring Lyon back. Cummins admitted tough decisions lie ahead: 'Give someone another game, or feel that now is the right time to make a change?'
