Australia’s Test series against South Africa will go to a decider in Cape Town after the hosts completed an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha, exposing serious problems in the tourists’ batting.
The result was a sharp reversal of Australia’s 214-run win in the opening Test and their biggest defeat since Pat Cummins became captain. It came despite more than 160 overs being lost to rain during the match.
Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings and resumed the final day facing a near-impossible task after losing four more wickets on Wednesday. Further rain removed one session, but South Africa remained in control.
Travis Head offered resistance with a century, while Scott Boland occupied the crease as nightwatchman for a lengthy period. The pair spent more than an hour together, raising hopes that Australia could at least avoid an innings defeat.
Head reached his 13th Test century, and only his second outside Australia, from 151 balls. His innings ended on 121 when Wiaan Mulder angled the ball sharply into him from around the wicket, causing him to chop on while attempting to protect his ribs.
Steve Smith was able to bat despite concerns over a neck injury, but appeared restricted and fell for three when he pulled at a short delivery from Kagiso Rabada. Alex Carey then joined Boland, before Mulder bowled Boland for a career-best 40 with a delivery that found the edge of off stump.
Mulder completed a five-wicket haul when he dismissed Cummins with another delivery swinging into the top of off. Carey finished unbeaten on 37, while Rabada claimed four wickets to take six in the match after returning from a hamstring tear.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was named player of the match after his 179 across the opening three days. His innings helped transform the Proteas from being close to a series defeat into a position from which they can now claim the series.
Australia’s batting will be under close scrutiny before the third Test begins in Cape Town on Tuesday. Although the selectors have generally favoured giving players an extended opportunity to establish themselves, the scale of the defeat could lead to changes.
Cummins praised the side’s resolve on the final day but acknowledged that Australia had been well below their best.
“I thought there was some good fight today,” Cummins said. “Scotty Boland and Trav both played their roles really well, but it was a fair way to come back from.”
He added: “We were obviously a long way from our best. Last week, we didn’t start off too strong, but everyone contributed, and the small things added up to a win.
“But (here) not enough of us contributed across the board. I thought the pitch was pretty good out there.”
South Africa have now won two of the past three meetings between the top-two ranked Test sides. Australia have suffered two significant defeats in their past four Tests, having also lost to Bangladesh on home soil in August.
The Proteas could be without Anrich Nortje for the decider after he suffered a groin injury while bowling on the third day.
