From disastrous two-day Tests to a public feud over the BBL, there’s been a lot happening at Cricket Australia. But the need to regenerate the men’s Test side might be their most pressing issue.
There was no sense of celebration among the Australians about how Steve Smith abruptly withdrew himself from the team for its return to Newlands for the first time since the 2018 ball tampering scandal
A Test series finale that offered plenty beforehand delivered in spades as South Africa compiled 329 all out on a day replete with wild momentum swings. Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer for Australia, taking the final four wickets quickly with the new ball.
There is growing pressure on the Australian selectors as the Test team heads into a series-defining third and final Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Tuesday night.
Marnus Labuschagne is set to play and Steve Smith has been challenged to push through a neck injury as the selectors ponder the inclusion of Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon for a showdown with South Africa.