The Valley Of Humiliation

Australia’s fifth day effort was so awful that some perspective ought to be drawn from it. While 288 was technically a realistic possibility, Australia really needed a century from either of the openers. Renshaw fell victim to a leg-side strangle: always a depressingly unlucky way to go. Head hit three boundaries and found himself caught by Jansen. In the middle of all that, the exceptionally doomed Marnus fell in Rabada’s first over, leaving alone a ball he ought to have played at. By lunch Australia was 7/60 and it was all over.

What on earth went wrong? Josh Inglis became over-excited and got himself run out. Carey inexplicably decided to reverse-sweep on arrival and was caught just behind square. Connolly was undone by a beauty from Harmer. And Starc, after a half-hour of dogged defence, offered a bat-pad and is taken on the stroke of lunch. Yes, the fifth-day wicket offered more than before to the bowlers. And the bowling was first-rate. Rabada took three wickets in his first four overs.  Before the start of play Simon Harmer was hailed by a fan wanting five wickets from him. In reply he held up six fingers. Brimming over with entirely justified self-confidence he spun his way to 6/16, from 21 and a bit overs.

Yes, his bowling today was brilliant. He varied his flight and turn, bowling at times to six and seven men around the bat. It really was a master-class in spin bowling. And yet. When your number ten top-scores then something really has gone calamitously wrong. Lyon’s unbeaten 33 was a reproachful lesson to those who came before. He blocked, he chose his shots, and he took every run on offer. Captain Pat has had a lean time of it; but he batted solidly for two hours, and made the Proteas work for the inevitable victory.

Australia has much to ponder. Marnus’ time has come and gone. Yet the batting debacles cannot be blamed on him alone. Australia needs remedial batting classes. Perhaps they should take lessons from Nathan Lyon.