Cummins Admits South Africa Were ‘Better in Those Moments’ After 2-1 Series Loss

Australia captain Pat Cummins has conceded South Africa were simply better in the decisive moments after his side collapsed to 111 on the final day at Newlands and lost the Cape Town Test by 176 runs.

Set 288 to win the series decider, Australia were skittled before tea on day five, handing South Africa a 2-1 series victory and the world No. 1 Test ranking. Off-spinner Simon Harmer finished with 6 for 16 in the second innings and match figures of 10 for 120.

Australia had earlier held a 100-run first-innings lead thanks to Josh Inglis’s century and an 185-run stand with Alex Carey, but centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder on day four set up a chase that proved far beyond the tourists.

A collapse on the final morning

Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the first over of the chase, and Harmer then ran through the middle order as Australia slumped to 6 for 42 before midday. A late stand between Cummins and Nathan Lyon only delayed the inevitable.

What the result means

The defeat drops Australia to third in the World Test Championship table and ends their unbeaten run in Test series stretching back to early 2023, while South Africa’s hopes of defending their WTC crown next year stay firmly alive.

Source: Circle of Cricket / cricket.com.au