Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for Australian cricket fans following the first Test in Perth, Hobart happened.
Here are five talking points from the second Test against South Africa.
» Highlights from the second Test, not that you want to watch them
Australia’s batting is not good enough
There’s not much more that needs to be said about Australia’s batting that you haven’t already heard, but it bears repeating purely to emphasise how bad the performance was.
Whether it was poor shot selection (David Warner), critical yet basic errors (Callum Ferguson) or simply being undone by the moving ball (just about everyone else), the first innings in Hobart made it abundantly clear that the Australian batting order is not suited to playing in remotely bowler-friendly conditions.
The second innings wasn’t much better. Although Warner was unlucky and both Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja showed some kind of composure, the remainder of the batting order offered about as much resistance as a house of cards, playing poor shots and not placing enough value on their wicket. Losing 8-32 in the second innings says it all, really.
It’s hardly anything new, though.
Australia were found wanting against the moving ball during last year’s Ashes series and were similarly inept on the turning tracks in Sri Lanka. A day-night Test against South Africa’s pink ball-armed bowlers doesn’t bode well.
Given the sub-par batting performance on the relatively flat Perth deck last Test as well, the calls for changes to the batting line-up are only going to increase.
It’s time to give youth a chance
So what changes could be made?
» Pick your Australian XI for the third Test vs South Africa
The man under the most pressure now is surely Adam Voges. Having failed with the bat in Perth with scores of 27 and 1, his total return of two runs in Hobart – particularly with that dreadful-looking pull shot which cost him his wicket in the second innings – will have Australia’s horde of young batsmen licking their lips.
Ronan O’Connell wrote at length this morning that it is time for Australia to look to youth for their solution to their batting frailties, and it’s hard to disagree.
Peter Handscomb is one player who will be eyeing off a maiden Test cap, while Kurtis Patterson and Jake Lehmann also deserve consideration having enjoyed fine first-class seasons last year.
They don’t offer the experience of Voges, they do have plenty of potential, and an Australian berth this summer would allow them to blossom as Test players down the order, much in the same vein as the likes of Ponting, Border and Waugh the elder.
Have we found a keeper who is deserving of the Gilchrist comparisons?
Ever since the retirement of Adam Gilchrist, it has been the unfair fate of every talented wicketkeeper-batsman to be compared to the legendary Australian gloveman.
For most, it is a comparison that does no-one any good, but in the case of Quinton de Kock, it may just be deserved.
De Kock’s ability to either rescue his side with a composed innings or rub salt into an opposition’s bowling wounds with a blistering knock is noticeably Gilchrist-like. The South African did the former in Perth, while his century in Hobart – his fifth consecutive score over fifty – certainly did the latter.
A Test average of 51 after 17 innings is mightily impressive for anyone, let alone a wicketkeeper-batsman, and with Temba Bavuma also looking the goods, South Africa’s batting stocks look to be in safe hands heading into the future.
Patience is a virtue
Terrible as Australia’s batsmen were, the side’s bowlers are hardly faultless for the calamity that occurred in Hobart.
Bowling on a seamer-friendly deck, Australia’s quicks bowled with a desperation for wickets that did them no good whatsoever. Rather than seeking to build pressure, there seemed to be an emphasis on finding the miracle ball to take a wicket.
The result was a collection of loose deliveries, allowing South Africa to turn the strike over and release any scoreboard pressure on the rare occasions Australia were able to build it.
Look no further that the maiden count for evidence of this. In their 93 overs for the match, South Africa bowled 22 maidens. Australia could manage just 19 out of 101, ten of which came from the excellent Josh Hazlewood, who was the only Aussie to leave Hobart with an unbesmirched reputation thanks to his six-wicket haul.
To be fair, this was the second Test in a row where the bowlers were let down by their batsmen, who once again failed to post an adequate first-innings score.
But some added discipline and patience with the ball could well have prevented the Proteas from building up such a commanding lead, one which saw them to a comfortable innings victory.
South Africa’s selectors are switched on
When Dale Steyn went down with a series-ending shoulder injury in Perth, many people thought it would be a foregone conclusion that beanpole quick Morne Morkel would step into the side.
A bowler capable of extracting a frightening amount of bounce from the wicket, Morkel is well-suited to bowling in Australia and has done so before on previous tours. But instead of drafting in the towering seamer, the Proteas opted instead for Kyle Abbott, known better for hitting a full length and getting the ball to swing and seam around.
Needless to say, the selection worked.
Abbott picked up nine wickets in a man-of-the-match display, constantly attacking the Australian batsmen. That’s not to say he wasn’t well-supported – Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada both grabbed five scalps during the Test – but it does show South Africa’s selectors knew exactly who the right man for the job was for this Test.
With Jackson Bird watching on as Australia struggled to make inroads on the ground he has made his own in the Sheffield Shield, one can’t help but think Australia’s selectors might not be quite as attuned as their South African counterparts.
Tanmoy kar
Guest
Very true Vincent, C.A. and B.C.C.I. are only interested in Money, how to generate it more!
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Finally, I see a post where Mitch Marsh is batting at a position suitable for his contributions. Which fast bowling spot do we give him or, at Adelaide under lights, does he take the place of Nathan 'never trouble batsmen' Lyon?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
If he bats at six, we need something good with bat consistently and Maxwell doesn't have that word in his vocab. I do like the approach he showed in the last shield game and more disciplined innings like that should have him heading to India
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
We aren't exactly running through the SA batting and you want an ordinary keepee like Wade replacing a good gloveman like Nevill. Nevill made a fighting 60* in Perth trying to save the game. Wade is just another attacking batsmen who only scores runs on roads. No thanks. Khawaja isn't an opener in red ball cricket and neither is Burns, looking at his technique. At the moment, our number three is walking to the crease in the first over so he is a pseudo opener in that regard. Better to respect the role of the opener and select a batsman who is a specialist opener, not a middle order batsman who has moved up the order. Save that for one day cricket on roads. Voges needs to go. His manner of dismissal often conflicts with his experience and those alleged benefits. Not sure about Maxi for Adelaide and his brain fades are legendary but his First Class average is 42 and a spinning all-rounder in India would be better than Mitch Marsh or Moises Henriques, who don't have as good a batting average as Glenn.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I'd say they went to South Africa largely to support Cricket South Africa.
likkewaan
Guest
When you compared Warner equally world class to Amla, you lost me there. Elgar is a gritty fighter, a typical opener. Maxwell and De Kock can do the same....pfffttt. Maxwell has to proof himself in test cricket first before you can make such comparisons.
Broken=hearted Toy
Guest
It's more like 7 batting collapse in 10 inning now.
Broken=hearted Toy
Guest
Rob, do you think that they are NOT trying to do that? None of them want to lose test matches.
Broken=hearted Toy
Guest
They didn't played out draws when Clarke was skipper. Where did you get that idea? I think he thought and I suspect that Lehmann thinks that draws are 'unAustralian'.
Broken=hearted Toy
Guest
That 'they were guaranteed the first test' thing is hardly true though. As soon as the pressure was on and the conditions in Hobart were seen, Mitch Marsh was dropped. You can take that sort of call by the selectors with more than one grain of salt.
Rob
Guest
You're totally correct with South Africa playing far superior cricket. They don't have any better talent but are playing smarter and tougher. I don't believe Elgar or Cook are world class openers in fact they are ordinary but they have done the job of hanging around. Amla and Warner are equally world class and Smith is as good if not better than Du Pleases. Duminy is hit and miss with Bavuma having as much batting ability as any solid first class batsmen. Decock and Maxwell can do the same with the bat. Starc is a world class wicket taker and Hazelwood can bowl better than Philander. Lyon can't get a batsmen out and M. Marsh can do a job. We need a wicket taker like Cummins. After saying that, they need to do what ever it takes to get on top of the opposition. Aggressive bowling, fielding plans and disciplined batting.
Peter
Roar Rookie
I think talk of extra chances has gone out the window with this latest Test. That's the feeling I get from reading various journos and watching Smith's interview. Wouldn't be surprised at although see O'Keefe or Agar in the Adelaide squad. Possibly players no-one's talked about.
davSA
Guest
You gotta feel for Kyle Abbott . Has spent his first class career in the shadows of Steyn, Morkel, Philander and of late Rabada , yet has never let SA down when selected.. usually due to injury to one of the others . He is the real deal and deserves further opportunity.
Ozibatla
Guest
Ohh no, I just saw the great Brian Lara on tv commenting on our demise and immediately drew the comparison between the plight of our lot and the once great windies side of the 80s, early 90s. Please dont let us fall to their depths! Those poor buggers are still struggling 20 years later. Their current lot might give us a run too. What a difference 12 months makes. Just ask Adam Voges
Ozibatla
Guest
Yeh good call doogs. Part of lyons problem i believe is he requires the feeling to be loved. If not i recon his confidence takes a battering. Clarke knew this and persisted really well with Lyon knowing his frailty mentally. Im not sure Smith is picking up on this. The way hes used him in spells coupled with how he and Lehmann critiqued his efforts in Sri Lanka suggests the spinner doesnt have full confidence of his captain. Having said that, Lyons gotta own it too and concede hes being found out by international batsmen. And like you said, chuck it up outside off and give it a rip, whats the worse that can happen, you get hit over midoff for six? so what theres another delivery waiting...
Basil
Guest
OKeefes got a good record at Adelaide Oval, even better under lights too.
Perry Bridge
Guest
It's worth remembering how ineffective Starc was in Perth in the 2nd innings - remember Siddle with a flaring back in the heat had 2 of the first 3 wickets in the 2nd innings. Hazlewood was ineffectual too. Come to Hobart and neither of the new ball bowlers got an early breakthrough until Starc caught the openers napping immediately after the tea break - take out his little 2 over spurt of greatness and there was precious little to write home about from Mitch. Hazlewood then snared 6 of the remaining 7. He did a job - but, as a new ball bowler outside of that early burst in the first innings in Perth when again Starc and Hazlewood in particular - as the 'go to' combination were unable to fully drive home the advantage. Questions of course around what value Lyon is currently providing - is it time for a more attacking spinner? Or spin as more a 5th bowler option with Maxwell in.
dan ced
Guest
Wade can bat, but throws away his wicket too easily. I'd rather a keeper that can graft runs and rotate strike with the tail. Wade's keeping is about as good as Travis Head's. If Nevill is replaced...Hartley is the best option by far, then Ludeman.. none of the young options have enough experience yet in my opinion.
doogs
Guest
Great points. It was sad to see them fail. I hope they get another chance as well. Funny you mentioned 2014. Around that time Lyon bowled more of an outside off stump from over the wicket and it he was much more threatening. You looked forward to him coming onto bowl. Now, even when the ball is turning, he is bowling more of a defensive line. If you had a scrabble set facing him, the scrabble set would be bored. It is a shame because when he is bowling well, he really is terrific. There is something really wrong going on right now with the team, but I don't want to assign cause, as I do not really know what it is.
Phil
Guest
Voges to go Siddle to go Burns to go.. Lyons to go... Lehman to go...the list goes on.... After 5 tests and repeated abject failures if wholesale change is not warranted then selectors should just quit as who needs them if keeping picking same dross time and time again....