Cricket: The Australian shine of disappointment

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 24: Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith (capt) of Australia having a chat with the umpires during day 3 of the 3rd Sunfoil Test match between South Africa and Australia at PPC Newlands on March 24, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Newlands has been a very telling centre point for one of Australia’s darkest days of cricket; if not the most.  It stems back to before the Ashes of the summer just gone; heck, probably goes further back with the culture and “bully attitude” some talk about in world cricket.  Australians are rightfully disappointed at their national cricket team doing something woefully silly.

Then it came and bit captain Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft where it hurts the most.  The light has finally been shed on what was – as Smith put it – a “premeditated action by the leadership group” – then exposed all the scraps and crumbs behind it, which had already begun to surface in recent months.

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Cricket: Australia v South Africa: Tables turned, Proteas humiliate green and gold tourists

South Africa celebrates a crushing victory (Photo: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

One could be forgiven for doing a double take at reading the scoreboard.  After such a resounding victory in Centurion, the Australian batsmen meekly surrendered to the tune of a huge 231 runs at St. George’s Park on day four of the second test.

Cricket: 1st test, Australia v South Africa: Johnson’s 12 wicket haul stuns already shocked Proteas

Mitchell Johnson celebrates his second five wicket haul (Getty Images)

Confidence was never in doubt in the Australian camp as they began the first test at Centurion February 12^th.  On the other side of the coin, South Africa held the mantle of the top-ranked test team.

Inside of four days of test cricket, one team stumbled but recovered in spectacular and dominating fashion.  The other, so enamoured by what they saw from the visitors, fell and did so with little grace.