Former batter David Warner has described Australia’s performance during their third-Test defeat to South Africa in Cape Town as “disgraceful”.
Needing 288 for victory, the visitors collapsed to 60-7 and were eventually all out for 111 as Simon Harmer claimed six wickets for just 16 runs at Newlands Cricket Ground.
The result secured a 2-1 series victory for the Proteas, who also moved to the top of the world Test rankings, but left Australia with plenty of questions to answer.
Warner blasts Aussie effort
Following Australia’s day-five capitulation in front of a gleeful home crowd, Warner offered a scathing assessment of the tourists’ performance.
“It is terrible. It is un-Australian. There is no fight whatsoever. It is disgraceful,” he said on Sky Sports.
“The batters have let the bowlers down all series. Matt Renshaw showed fight in that first Test, but I think the batters have been utterly disgraceful.
“[In the second innings at Newlands] Renshaw was burgled down the leg side. It is on the line and this is the way they play – it is deplorable.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins was more circumspect, saying: “Within the first hour, the game was away from us and we did not give ourselves a chance.
“We are a really good side, but playing tough opponents away from home is always difficult.
“We came here thinking we were good enough to win, but we couldn’t do it.”
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Rabada sets up Harmer
Asked to explain his final-day heroics, Harmer stated: “It was just dealing with expectations, putting that to one side and understanding what I had to do.
“The way KG [Kagiso Rabada] took three wickets … after that, it was about playing for a draw for them.
“To be able to bowl in that situation – guys around the bat, the theatre, creating pressure – goes a long way and makes my job easier.”
Fast bowler Marco Jansen, who was voted player of the series, added: “Very intense series. A lot of pressure, lot of ebbs and flows.
“Standing here tired, but awesome series to be a part of. Takes a lot out of you. Proud of the boys – happy to have got the series win.
“Seeing KG running and doing his thing with flow, Harmer turning the ball puts a good kind of pressure on you to do well for the guy next to you.”
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