Cricket great Simon Katich has torched the Aussie Test team after worrying scenes with Cameron Green summed up their chastening loss to South Africa in the series decider. Australia went into day five in Cape Town chasing 288 runs to clinch the series-deciding third Test, but were bowled out for just 111 as the hosts claimed a 176-run victory and the World No.1 ranking.
The match was effectively over in the opening session as Australia slumped to 7-60, with Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada ripping through the top order and reaching his 350-Test wicket milestone in the process. Rabada snared Matt Renshaw (0), Marnus Labuschagne (4) and Travis Head (14) in quick succession in a devastating opening spell.
First innings centurion Josh Inglis was then inexplicably run out for just four after a horror mix-up with Green. And it sparked another collapse as Alex Carey (2) and Cooper Connolly (0) both fell within three balls to spinner Simon Harmer, who also dismissed Mitchell Starc (0) soon after.
The Aussies tried to go into damage control after lunch with Green doing his best to avoid facing Harmer, who was spinning the ball out of the dusty patches of the Newlands pitch to perfection. But as soon as Harmer swapped ends to get the Aussie No.4 on strike it led to Green’s wicket, sparking damning incriminations about the mindset of the Aussie players.
Simon Harmer’s wicket of Cameron Green in the second innings saw the Aussie side come under fire around the cricket world. Pic: Getty
“In my time calling Test cricket that is the most mortifying wicket I have ever seen,” Gerard Whateley said on SEN’s coverage. “Australia hid its No. 4 from Simon Harmer from the 16th over to the 39th over. They switched his ends and first ball, Green got clean bowled.”
Simon Katich slams Australia’s inability to play spin
And former Test opener Katich warned it was a dire sign ahead of Australia’s Test tour to India next year, and an indictment on the current side. Katich also took fresh aim at captain Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first as it came back to haunt them badly.
“When you win the toss in these sorts of conditions in a massive game, you bat and you get scoreboard pressure on the opposition,” Katich said on SEN. “There was absolutely no reason to bowl first whatsoever and they proved that with the way they batted in the first innings.
“This is what happens when an inexperienced batting line-up gets put in this position on day five of a Test. If you do not know how to handle spin with the tactics of three or four men around the bat, then you may as well not go to India, because that’s what’s awaiting.”
with AAP