Australia provided a masterclass in the art of the batting collapse, turning a position of strength into one of utter despair in their 98-run loss to South Africa. The dramatic self-destruction against spin was as swift as it was complete.
At 0-60, the chase of 297 was under control. What followed was a textbook example of how not to play spin under pressure. A combination of poor shot selection, panicked running, and a collective mental freeze led to a procession of wickets.
The loss of six wickets for 29 runs in just 55 balls is a collapse of epic proportions. It demonstrated a deep-seated vulnerability and a lack of a coherent plan to counter a high-quality spinner like Keshav Maharaj, who was the gleeful beneficiary.
This tendency for self-destruction is a worrying trend for Australia. While individual brilliance like Mitch Marsh’s 88 can sometimes mask the issue, this match laid it bare for all to see.
The Art of the Collapse: Australia’s Masterclass in Self-Destruction
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