Three facing axe as Aussies told to end ‘experiment’

Australia will leave Gqeberha lamenting their first innings batting performance as South Africa completely dominated them from the moment Temba Bavuma came to the crease until the final wicket on day five.

The batting order will once again face significant questions. Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster again failed to contribute with the bat, while Marnus Labuschagne threw his wicket away at the worst possible time in the second innings.

Steve Smith is now under an injury cloud after hurting his neck, while Josh Hazlewood bowled through illness on day three, limiting his performance.

The selectors made the bold call to drop Nathan Lyon and play Scott Boland, and while everything else went wrong, the Victorian once again showed why he belongs. Except he did it with both bat and ball this time around.

They will now need to scratch their heads and come up with an XI for Cape Town, factoring in these performances, and the availability of Cam Green and Josh Inglis.

Here’s how we rated all Australian players from the second Test.

Nic Maddinson - 1

This selection call, simply, has not worked. Whatever Australian selector George Bailey was hoping to achieve, Maddinson has not been the answer opening the batting and should be dropped for Cape Town. Maddinson faced 14 balls in this Test match for eight runs. He now has a duck in each Test. The Aussies are learning nothing short or long term from him opening the batting, and this experiment should come to a swift end.

Travis Head - 8.5

Second innings century for Head and his fourth opening the batting for Australia. Even if it still feels like his best spot is in the middle order, he has managed to make runs opening. Only 14 in the first innings when we really needed the openers to dig in.

Marnus Labuschagne - 3.5

Labushagne once again failed with the bat. Not only that, he threw his wicket away at a crucial moment in the second innings and exposed the Aussie middle order at the end of day four. His poor lofted shot into the deep was caught and you could see the anguish on his face given he’d actually batted well to that point, but we’re sick of starts and 30s. Time for change.

Steve Smith - 4

An odd neck injury in the first innings saw Smith bowled for 28 after a strong start. It’s unclear how much it affected him in the second innings, but he never looked comfortable and was dismissed for just 3. A poor, uncharacteristic shot, but Kagiso Rabada has his number right now.

Matt Renshaw - 2

Failed in both innings after his heroics in Durban. Would’ve been nice if he backed up his big confidence boost with another, but he’ll get another chance in Cape Town. Whether he stays at five or whether he moves to opener, he’s likely already secured his spot for a few more Tests.

Alex Carey - 6

Struggled again in the first innings, with questions now being raised about whether he can continue to bat at six, instead of seven. However, he dug in nicely in the second when the Aussies needed to see out time. Unfortunately, nobody was able to stay with.

Beau Webster - 1.5

Beau Webster’s stint in the Test side might be coming to an end shortly, unless he can make some runs in Cape Town, if he holds his spot. Failed in both innings with the bat and didn’t take a wicket with the ball. His flexibility with both is nice, but lower order runs are nicer. With Cameron Green fit Webster is the obvious one to make way, although Green can’t yet bowl.

Pat Cummins - 2.5

Didn’t take a wicket, didn’t have an impact with the bat and wasn’t a factor in the field. A rare invisible Test for the Australian captain.

Mitchell Starc - 6

Took three wickets in the first innings and did what he could with the bat in the second, facing 28 deliveries. Had to pick up some extra slack with Hazlewood unwell.

Scott Boland - 10

What more could you ask for? He took five wickets in his only opportunity with the ball, and batted beautifully on day five when Australia needed it most, facing nearly 200 balls. Simon Katich jokingly floated on SEN that he could open the batting in Cape Town at this rate. Why not? What can’t the big Victorian do?

Perfect marks. Don’t you dare drop him again.

Josh Hazlewood - 2

Impossible to really rate Hazlewood, given he bowled just 14 overs and dealt with a stomach bug that restricted him. Was still economical, but didn’t really contribute anything to this Test match because of his limitations. Offered no resistance with the bat on day five.