Pat Cummins endured one of his poorest Tests as captain as Australia suffered a heavy defeat in Gqeberha, with Scott Boland and Travis Head the clear standouts in an otherwise disappointing display against South Africa.
Boland was awarded nine after taking another five-wicket haul on his return to the side and twice performing the difficult duties of nightwatchman. His determined contributions with bat and ball continued a strong record of making the most of his opportunities in Test cricket.
Head received an eight for responding to a first-innings failure against Marco Jansen with his first overseas Test century. He faced 190 balls in the second innings, combining his usual scoring rate with the patience required to give Australia hope of surviving.
Australia player ratings in Gqeberha
Mitchell Starc was given five after recovering from a difficult opening day affected by damp footholds. He passed 450 Test wickets, becoming the most successful left-arm quick in the format, but contributed little with the bat.
Steve Smith scored four in a match disrupted by a neck problem, which restricted him in the first innings and pushed him down to number seven in the second. He did, however, pass 11,000 Test runs to become only the third Australian to reach the landmark, after Allan Border and Ricky Ponting.
Alex Carey also received four. He took four catches during South Africa’s innings but was dismissed second ball in the first innings and could not steer the lower order to safety despite improving later on.
Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw were both marked down at three. Labuschagne again reached the 30s before attempting to clear the boundary against Simon Harmer, while Renshaw followed his Durban performance with two low scores under sustained pressure from the South African quicks. He did take an outstanding slip catch to dismiss a batter off Boland.
Beau Webster’s three reflected another quiet outing with the bat. He looked vulnerable outside off stump in both innings and, although economical with the ball, did not pose the same threat as South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder.
Josh Hazlewood was also given three after a stomach illness picked up before the second day affected his involvement. He returned to bowl but was unable to exert a major influence and will now need to rebuild his strength before Newlands.
Cummins received a two after being outplayed by South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who made 179 and repeatedly punished the Australian’s short-pitched bowling. Cummins also failed with the bat in both innings after a more productive performance in Durban, leaving him with significant questions to consider before the next Test.
Nic Maddinson was awarded one after edging Kagiso Rabada’s new-ball deliveries in both innings. Beyond a forceful 48 in the second innings at Durban, he has struggled to impose himself, particularly against Rabada under the lights on the third night.
