Australia captain Pat Cummins said it was fair to ask questions about his side after they slipped to two heavy defeats in a row against hosts South Africa to lose the three-match series 2-1 at Newlands on Saturday. Set 288 for victory, Australia were rocked early on and could manage only 111 to lose the third Test by 176 runs, following their defeat by an innings and 31 runs in the second match in the series. Australia next host New Zealand, and Cummins said the series loss meant questions were inevitable as South Africa took over from them as the number one side in the Test world rankings.
I think it’s fair to be asking questions and we’ll be asking them internally as well,” Cummins told reporters. We’ll work it out.” Cummins made the surprise decision to bowl first after winning the toss on the first morning, something that had been done only 11 times before in Tests at Newlands since 1889. As it proved, batting last was difficult on a wearing surface, and Australia fell to the spin of Simon Harmer, who took career-best figures of 10-120 in the match.
I thought it was achievable, but we never really gave ourselves a chance,” he said. I know it’s a day-five wicket, but I don’t think it was drastic. There were runs to be scored out there; there were lots of balls to face.
It’s happened a few times now.”
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