Following an innings and 31-run defeat to South Africa in the second Test at Gqeberha on October 18-22, 2026, Australia captain Pat Cummins acknowledged his team’s batting struggles. Australia was forced to follow on for the third time since 1988, and they lost their first innings since 2023. Australia led the three-match series 1-0 after winning by 214 runs in Durban, but they were unable to replicate their performance in South Africa.
Temba Bavuma hit 179 and Marco Jansen contributed 85 in South Africa’s first innings, helping them reach 425 for 9. Australia faced a major deficit when their first innings dropped to 99. They scored 295 in their second innings, but it was not enough to compel the Proteas to bat again.
Pat Cummins, who scored 11 runs in two innings while remaining wicketless, acknowledged the difficulty of selecting a squad and whether to change the batting order. Despite winning the first Test, Australia’s batting performance gave cause for concern. Despite striking an overhead shot in the second Test, Marnus Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since July 2023.
Nic Maddinson returned to Test cricket after a nearly ten-year absence, scoring 0 and 8 in both innings. Beau Webster’s knocks totaled 13 and 8. Despite scoring 121 runs in the second inning, Travis Head was unable to stop the rally.
What caused Australia’s batting problems?
Pat Cummins noted a bigger pattern in Australia of making their own task more difficult than necessary. Despite their victory in the first Test, he noted that the team’s batting was still uneven, and that their own blunders had exacerbated the situation.
What adjustments might Australia make for Cape Town?
Before the third Test at Newlands, the skipper assessed the opening combination and the need for tactical alterations. Although he appreciated Matthew Renshaw’s performance in Durban, he underlined the importance of examining Australia’s overall batting plan.
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Pat Cummins addressed the squad decisions for the series’ final test.
Josh Inglis and Cameron Green are expected to be available for selection, he said, and their names will be mentioned regularly when discussing the team’s lineup.
