Simon Harmer has added fuel to the fire before the deciding Test between Australia and South Africa (7pm Tuesday AEDT), taking aim at rival captain Pat Cummins before the first ball.
Speaking onThe Grade Cricketer, Harmer revealed an on-field exchange during the second Test involving Cummins, who was forced to “eat his words” after Australia suffered a humiliating innings defeat.
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Rain played havoc with the opening two days of the second Test in Gqeberha, with just 12.2 overs possible on day one as Australia held South Africa to 2-20.
Things weren’t much better on day two, with a wet outfield delaying play, before just 30 overs were possible.
But with so much time already lost to rain, South Africa’s decision to keep batting deep into day three frustrated Cummins, according to Harmer.
Simon Harmer has added fuel to the fire ahead of the third Test.Source: Getty Images
“I love getting into a bit of a battle,” Harmer said. “When myself and Temba (Bavuma) were batting, a lot of time we had lost to rain.
“So yeah, he basically said to Temba that ‘you’re making the wrong decision’.”
He added: “I think your golden boy, Patty Cummins, got a bit riled up with how long we were batting for…
“Then Matthew Breetzke, who came in, he had a few things to say, which I didn’t think went down too well.”
When pressed on the details, the South African spinner took the opportunity to fire another cheeky shot at the Australian captain.
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“I’m surprised you boys don’t have a statue with him here, the amount you boys love him and pump his tires,” Harmer said.
“He looks really nice on the field, but he’s not shy of having a word, which I love.”
Pat Cummins has found himself in the firing line ahead of the third Test.Source: AP
It was the South Africans who had the last laugh, with Bavuma and Harmer combining for a crucial 183-run partnership from 277 balls.
The partnership helped South Africa build a commanding position in the second Test, leaving Australia with plenty of work to do to fight their way back into the contest.
According to Harmer, Cummins was left to regret his words after the Proteas went on to claim victory.
“I think he managed to eat his words at the end because we were able to turn them over twice and make them follow on,” Harmer said.
“So, it started there and I think they were pretty pissed off as well after losing.”
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Now, with the series locked at 1-1, all eyes turn to Cape Town for the third and final Test, starting on Tuesday.
Harmer said he expects the decider to not just be a “more competitive match compared to the first two” — but one where there is potential for the long-standing tensions between the two cricketing nations to explode once more.
“So, I do have a feeling that this test match is going to come to a head,” Harmer warned.