Photo via Hindustan Times

Pat Cummins blames Australian batting after losing the Cape Town decider

Australia’s three-match Test series against South Africa ended in Cape Town with a crushing 176-run defeat, handing the Proteas a 2-1 series victory. Chasing a daunting 288 on the final day, the Australian batting lineup collapsed spectacularly, managing just 111 all out.

Kagiso Rabada dismantled the top order early, while Simon Harmer’s six wickets in seven overs sealed the innings. Despite a strong bowling performance that had Australia leading by 100 runs after the first innings, their second-innings batting implosion undid all their earlier efforts, with Marnus Labuschagne again failing to deliver under pressure.

Captain Pat Cummins admitted his team’s poor decision-making and execution cost them the match, calling the batting display ‘horrendous’ and acknowledging that the pitch, though challenging, still offered opportunities. He also reflected on his decision to bowl first, noting that while the opening-day pitch had been expected to assist more than it did, the team’s inability to capitalize on their 100-run lead ultimately proved decisive.

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Pat Cummins points to batting collapse after Australia’s series loss to South Africa