2 minute read

South Africa picked spin bowlers twice as often as Australia in this series and won twice as many Tests. You probably don’t want to run too far with that equation as a Test team, but it’s worth keeping in mind next time you think you can monopace your way to victory.

The third Test was actually the first time Australia matched South Africa’s tally of spinners (one), but Pat Cummins opted to bowl first. 

Pat’s judgement is of course beyond reproach – any book for which he is willing to write a foreword is guaranteed to be exceptional – but bowling first has not, historically, been considered the spin focused option. 

Bowling second and fourth, Simon Harmer took half of the Australian wickets that fell. Nathan Lyon did take advantage of the wearing pitch to top score for the visitors in that final innings, but this is not generally how spinners win matches for you. You’d think Australia would know this given Lyon had already top scored at this ground once before to no great effect.

David Warner said that the batters’ performance was “un-Australian”. Everybody sort of knows what he’s driving at, but also thinks it’s a vacuous non-comment which doesn’t really mean anything. 

Ahead of the final day, Warner had predicted an Australia victory with Marnus Labuschagne 100-odd not out at the end. Marnus in fact fell 96 runs short of three figures, which was one thick-edged full toss closer than he’d got in the first innings.

Word on the street is that Marnus is down to his last 30 chances. If he wants to make himself useful, maybe be should think about jacking in the medium-pace and reverting to spin.