Sportsupdated 52m ago2 min read
MapSouth Africa Beat Australia By 176 Runs At Newlands To Win Series 2-1
“This 2-1 come-from-behind victory is not quite enough to take South Africa to the top of the World Test Championship”
“replace Australia at top of Test rankings; Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in the first over of the chase”
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Proteas clinched the three-match series 2-1 with a 176-run win at Newlands. Simon Harmer took six wickets as Australia were bowled out for 111.
Save coverage image
Proteas crush Australia at Newlands
South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to win the three-match Test series 2-1, with Australia set 288 for victory and dismissed for 111.
“I think this will be remembered as one of the iconic Test series, at least in this century, I'd like to believe.”
Kagiso Rabada struck early by dismissing Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne in the first over of the chase, and Simon Harmer then took a career-best 6-16 as the collapse unfolded.
Pat Cummins said it was fair to ask questions after the defeat, and he told reporters, "We lost two games in a row. I think it's fair to be asking questions".
Temba Bavuma framed the result as a historic series win, saying, "I think this will be remembered as one of the iconic Test series, at least in this century, I'd like to believe."
Cummins, Warner, and Harmer
David Warner slammed Australia’s batting during television commentary, saying, "I'm just upset, it's terrible, it's un-Australian. There's no fight whatsoever, it's disgraceful," as the chase collapsed.
Mark Waugh added that the batting was not good enough, saying, "That was a terrible two hours of batting. That was immature ... it was terrible," as he pointed to shot selection, technique and execution.
Pat Cummins said his side needed to get better to return to number one, telling reporters, "We are a very good side, but I think we need to get a little bit better if we want to get back to number one".
Simon Harmer’s bowling defined the day, with the match described as a Proteas win built on his career-best spell, and Harmer’s figures were cited as 10-120 across the match.
What comes next for both
Australia’s series loss left Pat Cummins acknowledging that changes were possible as the team faced a heavy programme of Test matches over the next year, and he said, "Maybe there will be some changes in style, changes in the personnel." Cummins also tied the defeat to early wickets, saying any chance of chasing 288 were destroyed when Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in the first over and followed up with a third in a devastating opening spell.
“Maybe there will be some changes in style, changes in the personnel.”
Bavuma said the Proteas would turn quickly to their next assignment, with SABC Sport stating a two-match home Test series against Bangladesh starts on 15 November at the Wanderers. The Proteas’ win also elevated them to the top of the Test rankings for the first time in a decade, and the series was described as a comeback that answered critics after being outplayed in the series opener in Durban.