Chasing 288 on the fifth day at Newlands in Cape City, Australia have been bowled out for 111. The defeat not solely price them the Take a look at but additionally noticed them lose the collection 2-1 after taking a 1-0 lead.
The outcome additionally noticed defending world champions South Africa transfer above Australia to the highest of the Worldwide Cricket Council's Take a look at rankings.
Australia had entered the collection with questions over an ageing staff, significantly their bowling assault comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. These issues adopted a shock nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin in August.
Nevertheless, it was Australia's batting throughout the fourth-innings chase in Cape City that drew the strongest criticism. Poor shot choice and decision-making contributed to their collapse, prompting former gamers to query the staff's efficiency.
"I'm simply upset, it's horrible, it's un-Australian. There's no struggle in any respect, it's disgraceful," Warner stated throughout tv commentary.
"Chasing 288, you're successful a Take a look at match, you could possibly win a collection, it's on the road, and that is the best way that they're enjoying.
"I feel it's deplorable however the batters have let the bowlers down the entire collection."
Former Australia batter Mark Waugh additionally criticised the staff's strategy. Waugh was a part of the Australian facet that accomplished a report run chase at Newlands in 2002.
"That was a horrible two hours of batting. That was immature … it was horrible," he stated. "The shot choice, the approach and the execution was not adequate."
Australia's batting issues have been constructing for a while. Since Warner retired in 2024, adopted by his long-time opening associate Usman Khawaja, the staff have struggled to choose a daily opening pair. Nic Maddinson was the newest batter to get a possibility however did not make an impression in South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne's newest failure at No. 3 might additionally put his Take a look at future unsure. He has acquired a number of alternatives from the selectors regardless of his latest struggles.
There have been, nonetheless, some positives for Australia. Matt Renshaw made essentially the most of his recall by scoring 190 within the first Take a look at whereas batting at No. 5. He additionally scored 74 alongside Travis Head, who opened the batting, within the third Take a look at.
With Steve Smith dominated out of the Cape City Take a look at attributable to a neck damage, Josh Inglis got here into the facet and scored a century.