Australia captain Pat Cummins admits it will be hard to “paper over the cracks” after a heavy second Test defeat to South Africa, with the futures of at least three players now in doubt.
The tourists crashed by an innings and 31 runs at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Thursday, leaving the three-Test series finely poised at 1-1 ahead of the decider in Cape Town next week.
Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings and were then bowled out for 295. The only highlights were a superb 121 from Travis Head and a defiant 40 off 166 balls from nightwatchman Scott Boland.
The manner of the defeat did not go down well back home, with headlines ranging from “horror show” to “shambolic Aussies” and “brutal failures laid bare”.
“Clearly need to be a lot better than that if we want to compete,” Cummins said.
“I think a loss can sometimes kick you 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.”
Players under pressure
Several players face scrutiny before the third Test. Chief among them is Marnus Labuschagne, the underperforming No 3 who has gone three years without a Test century.
“He’s actually doing the hard bit, he’s getting to 30,” Cummins said of Labuschagne.
“I think he’s got to find a way to turn those into bigger scores – 30s aren’t going to win you many matches.
“So, again, we’ll work on that in the next couple of days. It’s one Test match left in the series, we’ve got to win this.”
Recently recalled opener Nic Maddinson is also on shaky ground after scores of 0, 48, 0 and 8 across the first two Tests. Allrounder Beau Webster also appears vulnerable.
Selection options
Cameron Green is expected to be available for Cape Town after injury kept him out of the first two Tests, and Josh Inglis is also fit. Cooper Connolly is another option.
Boland, who came into the side at Gqeberha in place of spinner Nathan Lyon, will be hard to drop given his batting and his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Much will depend on the nature of the Cape Town pitch. It will determine whether Australia again opt for four seamers or bring back Lyon.
Cummins acknowledged that some difficult decisions lie ahead.
“That’s the challenge. Do you give someone one more game, or do you feel like now is the right time to make a move?” he said.
“Does it feel like someone’s just about to turn the corner, and they’re going to be away, or does it now feel like the right time for a change-up?”