Travis Head says Australia need collective batting effort after South Africa loss
Australia's batting struggles continue as they prepare for a decisive third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Australia lost the second Test to South Africa by an innings and 31 runs at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Thursday, leaving the three-match series level at 1-1. The visitors were dismissed for 99 in their first innings and 295 in the second, with Travis Head scoring 121 and nightwatchman Scott Boland making 40 off 166 balls.
Head said Australia have had one individual performance in each innings across their last four Tests but have not produced a collective batting effort. He noted that the team has recorded only 11 century partnerships for wickets one to six since the start of 2024, the second-lowest tally among World Test Championship nations.
Captain Pat Cummins said at least three players face selection questions ahead of the deciding Test in Cape Town. Marnus Labuschagne has not scored a Test century in three years, while Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster are also under pressure. Cameron Green is expected to return from injury for the final match.
CricHubb Take
The gap between individual brilliance and team-wide batting failure points to a deeper issue with how Australia handle pressure situations when multiple batters are tested simultaneously.