Rain could not save Australia from an embarrassing defeat in the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha..
There was a rained-out session, a lost 160 overs, and some serious wagging of the tail from Scott Boland, yet the Aussies still suffered a humiliating loss by an innings and 31 runs.
It was Australia’s biggest defeat under captain Pat Cummins and the first time Australia have been bowled out in consecutive innings in almost 40 years.
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Travis Head flew the flag with 121 off 190 balls, and nightwatchmen Boland showed plenty of resistance with 40 off 166 balls, while keeper Alex Carey (37no off 69) also contributed.
But elsewhere in a total of 295, the scorecard made for grim reading and Steve Smith, demoted to No.7 due to his neck injury, was widely criticised when he threw his wicket away for just 3 runs.
In a similar way to how Marnus Labuschagne surrendered his wicket, Smith attempted a poorly timed hook shot off Kagiso Rabada, skied it, and was caught by Matthew Breetzke, leaving Australia teetering at 6/226.
And, as was the case Labuschagne, Smith was widely criticised for his rush of blood.
“Such a disappointing dismissal from Steve Smith in a time of need. Shot selection…,” said social media account CricBlog.
“Either his neck is giving him trouble or that hunger isn’t quite there anymore… Hope it’s not the latter, but it could be especially with what he’s said recently.”
Racing analyst Brad Smith said: “Seriously Steve Smith, what on earth is that! Do these blokes realise they’re trying to SAVE the Test match. Where is the ticker? … that’s inexcusable in this situation.”
A fan said: “This is just shocking. The shot selection… disgraceful.”
Another fan said: “Steve Smith should retire after the third Test, or the Australian board should kick him out of the team.”
And another: “Steve Smith just didn’t want any of what the Proteas pacers had to offer this Test match, he looked so anxious.”
“Talk about Irresponsibility and carelessness,” another said, and another: “Looks like Steve Smith wasn’t even interested in batting today! What was going on, Smith?”
It leaves Cummins’ side with some serious questions to answer before the third Test gets underway on Tuesday, with several top-order players under the microscope.
And while the selectors have stuck to their guns on giving players an extended run to prove their worth, an innings defeat is likely to force the hand of change for Cape Town.
Cummins said post-match he was happy with the side’s fight on day five, Head and Boland faced 166 deliveries, but made it clear the Australians have not been good enough otherwise.
“I thought there was some good fight today,” Cummins said post-game.
“Scotty Boland and Trav both played their roles really well, but it was a fair way to come back from.
“We were obviously a long way from our best. Last week, we didn’t start off too strong, but everyone contributed, and the small things added up to a win.
“But (here) not enough of us contributed across the board. I thought the pitch was pretty good out there.”
Australia entered the final day of the second Test needing a miracle to avoid a horror loss after being rolled for 99 in their first innings and losing a further four wickets on Wednesday.
And while on-again-off-again rain wiped away one session for them, their woeful batting form came back to bite despite Head’s ton and a marathon vigil from Boland.
Head and Boland batted together for more than an hour, giving Australia hope of saving face and ensuring the Proteas could not take the series from them.
The South Australian reached his 13th Test century, and second away from home, off 151 deliveries, and had the match under control alongside the trusty Boland.
However, he was undone by smart bowling from all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, whose guile guided him to a five-fer.
He sprang wide bowling around the wicket to Head and produced a severe angle that cramped the Aussie opener and saw him chop on, protecting his ribs for 121.
Carey steadied things alongside Boland, but when Mulder produced a gem to bowl the Victorian cult hero for a career-high 40, the writing was on the wall.
Mulder did for Cummins with another in-swinger into the top of off, and while Carey found some touch, the bowlers couldn’t stop South Africa claiming a famous innings victory.
Carey ended the innings unbeaten on 37 while Rabada took four wickets, taking his tally for the match to six after returning from a hamstring tear.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma, who tasted defeat for the first time as captain in Durban, was deservedly named Man of the Match for his inspired 179 across the first three days, with the first two rain-affected, as he took his side from the brink of series defeat to having a chance to topple the Australians.
The win also means South Africa have won two of the past three meetings between the top-two ranked sides in the Test arena while the Aussies have recorded two embarrassing losses in their past four Tests after being beaten by lowly Bangladesh on home soil in August.
The Proteas will likely be without Anrich Nortje for the third Test after he sustained a groin injury while bowling on day three.
– With The West Australian
