Australia squander chance to conquer South Africa in Cape Town Test

If there were an award for losing Test matches from dominant positions, Australia would win it with little competition after their 1-2 defeat in the three-match Test series against South Africa. If the toothless surrender after a two-day domination in Gqeberha was unexpected, the Pat Cummins-led side returned with another classic ‘what if’ case during the third Test in Cape Town.

After remarkably skittling the hosts for 329 on Day 1 despite a solid start by the openers and taking a 100-run first-innings lead, Australia had the Test match in their kitty. However, a lack of intensity on the last two days of play allowed South Africa to claw their way back into the match and snatch the series away from Australia’s grasp.

It was a Test series full of action-packed cricket right from Day 1 until the final day in Cape Town as the momentum swung from one side to the other with both teams involved in a see-saw battle. While it was Australia who had made a remarkable comeback after an early collapse in the first Test, South Africa’s fighting spirit prevailed in the final two matches. 

However, Australia had enough chances to turn the game in their favour in Cape Town and let them slip away.

An ageing bowling attack

The famed pace-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc have been hailed as the world’s best bowling attack of the past decade but now find themselves on the wrong side of 30s. While Mitchell Starc managed to redeem himself with a six-wicket haul in Cape Town, the lack of consistent support from Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins, who remained wicketless for 372 deliveries, allowed the Proteas batters to run away with the game at crucial moments.

Cummins in particular had one of his worst series as a bowler, scalping six wickets at an average of 54.66. Moreover, the non-selection of Scott Boland, who impressed with a five-wicket haul and a heroic batting effort in Gqeberha, also raised many eyebrows.

To add to their woes, Nathan Lyon failed to make the most of the helpful conditions, scalping just four wickets across two innings, while his rival Simon Harmer impressed with his career-best figures.

The inability of the Australian bowlers to contain the Proteas batters on Day 4 became a huge turning point in the game, allowing the lead to swell beyond 280.

The flailing batting line-up

Australia’s batting woes have been following them for quite a while now as repeated collapses have added to their misery. With Steve Smith already ruled out due to injury, the onus with the bat fell on Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne’s shoulders.

While Head managed to score 41 in the first innings before falling for 14 in the second, Labuschagne’s combined presence at the crease across two innings lasted for eight balls and four runs. The calls for the 32-year-old's axe from the team are louder than ever before, who last scored a century in 2023.

Cameron Green and Alex Carey fell prey to Simon Harmer’s spin wizardry, while Josh Inglis was dismissed due to an unfortunate run out as Australia dug their grave inside the first session itself.

A bizarre toss decision

Pat Cummins opted to bowl first after winning the toss on Day 1 in Cape Town. South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma was too pleased with his adversary’s call as he was himself looking to bat first.

In hindsight, the decision came to bite back Cummins as the off-spin of Simon Harmer ran riot on the final day. He registered his career-best bowling figures of 6/16 in 21.1 overs and also scalped a ten-wicket haul for the first time in his career.

All in all, Australia had their moments in the game and every chance to end up on the winning side. However, things went wrong right from the toss and whatever glimmer of hope they had after day 3 was dashed by a resilient South African batting lineup.