Australia Bowled Out for 99 and Forced to Follow On in Stunning Test Collapse Against South Africa

Australia endured one of the most humiliating days in their modern Test history on Wednesday, collapsing to 99 all out against South Africa in Gqeberha and being forced to follow on for only the third time in 38 years.

Jansen Leads the Rout

The damage was done primarily by left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen, who tore through the Australian batting order with figures of 5-33. He was backed up superbly by Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder, who claimed two wickets apiece, as Australia’s first innings of the second Test disintegrated on day four. Steve Smith top-scored with just 28, and remarkably, no other Australian batter managed to pass 14.

South Africa had set up their dominant position earlier in the match by posting 425 for 9 declared, built around a magnificent 179 from captain Temba Bavuma. That left Australia conceding a first-innings deficit of 326 runs — and Bavuma had no hesitation in asking the tourists to bat again immediately.

A Rare and Unwanted Piece of History

Being made to follow on is almost unheard of for Australia, a side long regarded as among the most resilient in world cricket. It has happened only three times in nearly four decades, and the manner of this collapse drew fierce criticism back home, where former opponents and pundits questioned the fight shown by the batting lineup. One old rival described the performance in distinctly unflattering terms and suggested some players may now be batting for their places in the team.

With an injured Smith among the few offered any sympathy by critics, Australia face a monumental task simply to save the match when play resumes. South Africa, meanwhile, can smell a famous series victory built on one of the great bowling performances of the year.

Source: MySportsTab News