Australia's bowlers delay Pat Cummins' unwanted place in history
Australia's innings-and-31-run defeat by South Africa has intensified scrutiny of Pat Cummins' decision to bowl first, although Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul ensured the call was not immediately remembered as a defining mistake.
2026-10-27
Pat Cummins’ decision to bowl first remains under scrutiny after Australia suffered an innings-and-31-run defeat by South Africa in the second Test at Gqeberha, but Mitchell Starc’s late burst ensured the captain was not immediately placed among those remembered for a damaging toss call.
Cummins chose to field under blue skies, explaining that he believed there was moisture in the pitch. South Africa initially made Australia pay, racing to 203-1 and scoring 140 runs at more than four an over during the opening session.
Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram established control at the top of the order, with Ackerman making 95 and Markram 78. South Africa’s advantage, however, began to disappear as Australia used the short ball more effectively and tightened their fielding.
South Africa slipped from 203-1 to 232-6, with Markram, David Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder falling while attempting to attack the short delivery. Ackerman missed out on a maiden Test century in his second match when he charged Nathan Lyon, while Temba Bavuma was beaten by a straight ball from the off-spinner.
Bavuma has now been dismissed by off-spin three times in his past three innings, each time for a single-figure score, either side of his 179 in the previous Test. Australia also made a notable tactical adjustment by turning to Lyon after only 11 overs. The source notes that an Australian spinner had not been introduced so early after a captain elected to bowl since Shane Warne in 2000.
South Africa appeared capable of finishing strongly at 327-6, but Starc transformed the closing stages with four wickets in six deliveries. He removed Ryan Rickelton for 42 and Marco Jansen for 52 before bowling Gerald Coetzee and trapping Kagiso Rabada lbw without scoring. South Africa were dismissed for 329, with Starc finishing with 6-72.
The recovery reflected Australia’s resilience, but it did not prove that Cummins made the correct decision. Australia remain vulnerable with the bat, particularly after Nic Maddinson was sent home following two Tests, Marnus Labuschagne continued despite a lengthy century drought and Steve Smith missed the match through injury.
Matt Renshaw is expected to move back up the order after impressing at number five in the first Test, while Labuschagne has been given another opportunity. Josh Inglis had not played a competitive red-ball match since March, and Cameron Green had not done so since August, leaving both short of recent preparation.
The defeat also carries significance beyond the immediate match, with the result potentially shaping Australia’s position before next year’s Ashes. The teams are due to meet in the deciding Test in Cape Town on 27 October 2026, where Cummins’ bowlers will need the batting line-up to provide a more convincing response.