We are witnessing an Australian side unlike any in modern cricket - a team that appears defeated before the first ball is bowled. There’s a sense of weariness about them, a lack of focus and cohesion manifesting both in the field and with the bat.
The aggression and determination that once defined Australia are conspicuously absent, replaced by sluggish fielding, indifferent bowling, and a batting lineup that seems tentative, even apprehensive. This isn’t the Australia that the world knows—a side renowned for its relentless intensity and hunger to win, even when the odds are stacked against them.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Australia came up against a South African batting order that had showcased impeccable form in their previous encounter against Sri Lanka, where they played with minimal errors and maximum flair.
In Lucknow, South Africa’s command continued unabated as Australia’s bowlers faltered early. Pat Cummins, usually the spearhead of Australia’s pace attack, looked a mere shadow of his former self. Adam Zampa, who once boasted an ability to generate sharp turn, found little assistance on a pitch that became progressively slower, his spin now less biting—data from The CricViz Analyst shows that since 2016, his turn has diminished from three degrees to just two.
Mitchell Starc, typically a force with the new ball, struggled to find the right length, and Josh Hazlewood’s consistency crumbled under the pressure, with Quinton de Kock compiling a brutal century—his second in as many matches—highlighting Australia’s inability to adapt. In fact, South Africa’s mastery of Indian conditions has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 21 centuries in just 47 ODI matches on Indian soil, they have raised the bar for touring sides, while Australia, by comparison, has managed a paltry 0.32 centuries per match.
On this slowing Lucknow surface, Glenn Maxwell stood out as the most effective bowler, using the pitch’s sluggishness to stifle South Africa’s acceleration to some degree. Yet, despite his efforts, the Proteas still amassed a daunting 311 for 7, a total that seemed insurmountable for a team reeling from their dismal performance against India in Chennai just days before.
South Africa’s pace attack, led by Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada, tore through Australia’s top order with surgical precision. Australian batters appeared indecisive, their footwork hesitant, and their hand-eye coordination unravelling under pressure. Losing six wickets for just 65 runs inside 17.2 overs was reminiscent of a batting collapse on a tougher deck—yet the conditions here were not nearly as challenging as Port Elizabeth in 2003, where Australia found themselves in a similar situation but managed to claw their way back to victory through the sheer grit of Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel.
What this current Australian team lacks, though, is precisely that—grit. The hallmark of Australian cricket has always been a mental toughness that allowed them to battle through adversity, even when the odds seemed impossible. When chasing big totals, Australia’s traditional strength lies in its ability to unleash controlled aggression while maintaining solid technique. Even if they stumbled early, their middle order would typically rescue the innings, blending stability with strike rotation and calculated risks. However, the performances in Chennai and Lucknow have been far from typical—batting collapses devoid of the resilience that has historically been their signature.
Australia now finds itself cornered. And while it’s often said that a cornered Australia is a dangerous beast, capable of summoning their fiercest performances under pressure, this team must first rediscover that mental toughness and determination that made them a role model for cricketing nations worldwide. Only then can they hope to rise from this slump and once again exhibit the qualities that have long defined Australian cricket.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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