South Africa’s batting collapse on the third day of the deciding Test against Australia has left the team in a precarious position. After their bowlers produced a disciplined effort to dismiss Australia for a lead of 99, the home side struggled to handle the pressure, ending the day just 40 runs ahead with four wickets already down. According to mom wouldn’t have been heard in South Africa’s nearby dressing room, but what she, Applied just as well there. Not walking, nevermind crawling, and it took South Africa to stumps 40 ahead and without their top four, this was running. But he was lumped with the responsibility of explaining them. Regardless of what I read or see on social media, I am the person who is going to be hardest on myself, if I do something that affects the team. “I’m sure guys would have preferred to have not got out in certain ways but it boils down to a lot more factors than something as simplistic as shot selection.
The momentum gained earlier in the day when the Proteas captured six wickets for 59 runs was quickly squandered. Sat, and smiled up at strangers all around. “She’s much faster on all fours than when she’s walking,” mom said, the child stopped.
Australia’s lower order, including Josh Inglis, who contributed a resilient 102, was dismantled in a flurry of activity.
The visitors lost Inglis, Alex Carey, and Pat Cummins within 31 balls, followed by Nathan Lyon and Cooper Connolly just five deliveries later.
Simon Harmer was instrumental in this resistance, recording figures of 4/104 over 37 overs despite the pitch offering minimal assistance. Which is why he was sat behind the microphones, harmer bowled with nous and persistence on a pitch that didn’t offer him much help to take 4/104 in 37 overs.
However, South Africa’s response was marred by a series of loose shots. Aiden Markram fell early in the third over to Mitchell Starc, and David Bedingham departed shortly after, caught while attempting a reckless pull off Josh Hazlewood. Marques Ackerman’s resistance was ended by a sharp delivery from Starc, while captain Temba Bavuma was bowled by Lyon in the final minutes of the day’s play after a defensive lapse. Aiden Markram didn’t get the message. He drove Mitchell Starc limply into cover’s hands in the third over. Delaying contact with the ball past the optimum point, markram had a case for mitigating circumstances; the ball seemed to stop in the surface. The top edge was caught on the square leg boundary. You don’t want to go back into your shell right at the end of the day.
Addressing the press, Simon Harmer defended his teammates against harsh public judgment. He noted that while it is easy to critique shot selection from the stands, the mental pressure during a high-stakes match is immense. He emphasized that the players are their own harshest critics and that these errors are often part of the natural ebb and flow of a long Test match. “Pressure is a funny thing, and sometimes it is easy to sit on the balcony or in the stands and pass judgement on some of these innings or how people get out or how they play a shot,” Harmer told a press conference. “But. Simon Harmer didn’t play any of those ill-considered strokes.
Looking ahead, Harmer stressed that the upcoming session is crucial. He stated that the team cannot afford to look too far ahead toward a massive target, as the first hour of the fourth day will dictate their survival. The goal is to keep things simple and build a foundation, rather than getting distracted by the total required to win. If we have a good hour tomorrow morning it puts us in a much stronger position than trying to get 200 and getting sidetracked.”.
South Africa will resume with Matthew Breetzke, who displayed uncharacteristic patience by facing 59 balls for his unbeaten 19, joined by Ryan Rickelton, who is eight not out. Harmer acknowledged his own approach to batting, noting that the first 20 balls are typically the most challenging before the game settles down. He underscored the need to adapt to the pitch rather than forcing aggressive shots against a world-class bowling attack. A baby, maybe eight months old, crawled on the shaded concourse under The Oaks on Newlands’ southern boundary on Thursday. As in don’t walk before you can crawl properly. They took 6/59 on Thursday to limit Australia’s lead to 100.
As the series reaches its conclusion, the home side remains hopeful that players like Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, and Harmer himself can contribute meaningfully. Reflecting on his role as an off-spinner, Harmer remarked that there are many ways to approach the game, highlighting the dream of a classic delivery through the gate, much like the one Lyon produced to dismiss the South African captain.
