Despite taking a 100-run first-innings lead over South Africa, Australia went on to lose the contest, and with it, the three-match series, producing the sort of cricket that sent shockwaves across the cricketing spectrum. Australia, widely considered the most consistent cricketing side in the world, simply failed to rise to the Proteas’ challenge in the second innings. Pat Cummins‘ men needed 288 runs to win the match and the series, but the entire team was bowled out for just 111, leaving their former batter David Warner absolutely fuming.
Speaking on Fox Cricket after the end of the match, Warner called Cummins’ team “un-Australian”, saying he had never seen an Australian side fail to even produce a fight to win the game. The retired cricketer especially tore into the batting unit, saying they were “utterly disgraceful”.
“It is terrible. It is un-Australian. There is no fight whatsoever. It is disgraceful,” Warner said on the broadcast after the end of the match on Saturday. “The batters have let the bowlers down all series. Matt Renshaw showed fight in that first Test, but I think the batters have been utterly disgraceful.”
Renshaw scored 74 in the first innings but was dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings. Warner questioned his shot selection as he came up against an in-form Kagiso Rabada in Cape Town.
“Renshaw was burgled down the leg side. It is on the line and this is the way they play,” he said. “It is deplorable.”
Hahahahhahahahahahahaha https://t.co/fWgJ3jYWbp
— BoknRoll (@BoknRoll) October 31, 2026
While Rabada picked up three wickets in the second innings, the bulk of the damage was done by off-spinner Simon Harmer, who picked up six wickets for just 16 runs in 21.1 overs.
Among the Australian batters who showed some fight in the second innings were Cameron Green (27 runs) and Nathan Lyon (33 runs). Green, however, was at the centre of an avoidable moment in the middle when his call led to the run-out of Josh Inglis.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith criticised the decision on Sky Sports. “Never a run. A bad call from Green,” he said.
Courtesy of the defeat, Australia have dropped to the No. 3 spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table, while South Africa have climbed to No. 1.
About the Author
