Cricket Dismembered at Newlands: Cummins’ Test Team Falls
South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs at Newlands, with Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer leading the attack on the final day. The result puts South Africa atop…
Cape Town — Australia lost by 176 runs to South Africa at Newlands on the final day, as Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer dismantled Pat Cummins’ side. The defeat moved South Africa above Australia at the top of the Test rankings and sharpened questions about the Australian team’s direction.
The collapse was swift. Rabada took 3-39 and Harmer claimed 6-16 as Australia fell short with a session to spare. The result followed another heavy defeat in the series, after South Africa had been 6-110 on day three in Gqeberha and went on to win by an innings.
For Australia, the rankings change carries a direct consequence: the team no longer holds the top spot, while its recent results have weakened the case for continuing with the current approach. Australia had also failed to beat Bangladesh at home before losing the series in South Africa.
“And we weren’t good enough,” Cummins said, reflecting on what he described as a final opportunity in South Africa for many members of the squad.
He said the side had been outplayed in the last couple of Tests, with bowlers failing to take enough wickets and batters not scoring enough runs. Cummins also acknowledged a recurring pattern: Australia could win the first one or two matches, then fail to finish the job.
“But it does gnaw away at you a little bit,” he said.
What does the defeat mean for Australia?
The loss has renewed calls for a more substantial rebuild of the Test side. Cricket Australia’s senior figures are not rushing to remove Cummins, head coach Andrew McDonald or selection chair George Bailey, but the defeat has strengthened the argument that patching an ageing team with more senior players should give way to a more dynamic approach.
The damage was visible in Cape Town. Marnus Labuschagne squandered starts in the first two Tests, then managed only two innings lasting a combined eight balls in the city. The source says he cannot be selected for the Perth Test against New Zealand in December.
Australia also lost Steve Smith on the morning of the match, depriving the team of experience, skill and tactical nous. Cummins’ decision to bowl first on a dry pitch did not pay off, adding another point of scrutiny after the defeat.
South Africa had started the final day in a strong position, despite being effectively 4-40 at the beginning of day four. Rabada’s new ball quickly broke Australia’s resistance: Matt Renshaw edged his first delivery to Ryan Rickelton, and Labuschagne was dismissed soon after.
The result capped a series in which Australia’s grip on the contest slipped after earlier wins had raised expectations. South Africa now lead the Test rankings, while Cummins described the loss as frustration that would stay with the team.
“We weren’t good enough,” Cummins said.
