‘There will be some changes’: Pat Cummins hints at Australia’s Test shake-up after South Africa defeat

New Delhi: Australia captain has suggested that the team could make changes after suffering a against South Africa. The Proteas bounced back strongly after losing the first Test, securing convincing victories in the next two matches. With this victory, South Africa have dethroned Australia to become the No. 1 Test team in the ICC rankings.

“I still think we’re a really good side. Playing the now number one side in their own country we had our moments in every Test,” Cummins told journalists after the match. Australia have also slipped to third place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after the defeat, with New Zealand and South Africa acquiring the top two spots.

However, Cummins admitted that Australia would have to evaluate whether changes were required as they gear up for a packed Test calendar over the next 12 months.

“We’ll be asking those questions internally as well. We need to get better if we want to get back to number one. Maybe there will be some changes in style, changes in the personnel,” he said.

Cummins further added that Australia’s chances of chasing the 288-run target collapsed when Kagiso Rabada picked up two wickets in the first over of the innings. Rabada then took another wicket in his opening spell, removing Australia’s top order and leaving the visitors with a difficult task. Australia were eventually bundled out for 111, with off-spinner Simon Harmer taking six wickets in 21.1 overs.

‘We seem to play a lot better when we’re behind the game’: Bavuma

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma credited the series victory to his team’s character, pointing out to the fourth-day partnership between centurions Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder. He said their partnership showed the side’s ability to make a comeback after spending the first three days on the back foot.

“When the batters did what they did, the bowlers had the confidence. The way Rabada started today he got everything going. From then on we were able to keep a tight grip on things. We seem to play a lot better when we’re behind the game, whether that’s a good or a bad thing…you know that’s for us. I think the fans and everyone globally have been treated to proper cricket,” Bavuma said.

“That [No.1 ranking] is exceptional. I think that’s obviously been a part of our ambition as a team. We’re trying to push that standard as high as we can. With this opportunity that we have, we want to leave the Proteas badge in a better place. So we’ll definitely celebrate that milestone as a team,” he added.

South Africa will next face Bangladesh in the two-match Test series, starting on November 15, while Australia will take on New Zealand in the four-match Test series, beginning on December 9.