Cummins hints at changes after South Africa series loss

State of Play in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27

Australia captain Pat Cummins has criticized the team's top order's decision-making, admitting his side overplayed spinner Simon Harmer during a final-day collapse that handed South Africa a 2-1 series victory at Newlands.

Chasing a fourth-innings target of 288, Australia were bowled out for 111 on day five to suffer a 176-run defeat in the deciding Test of the ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa.

"Everyone had a little bit of a different plan," Cummins said.

"There was a bit of rough there, but perhaps we overplayed the spin, we could have backed our defence a little bit longer.

"Again those little things, you hang in there and you find a way, whereas I just think a lot of the times we just didn't really give ourselves a chance."

The loss saw Australia surrender the top spot in the ICC Men's Test Team ranking to South Africa, while New Zealand moved to the top of the World Test Championship Standings.

The defeat marked Australia's third loss in their past five Tests, with top-order batting collapses proving a reoccurring issue.

"A few really poor decisions. I know it's a day-five wicket, but I don't think it was drastic," Cummins stated.

"Start in the first couple overs where you're behind it – maybe you're chasing a little bit harder than maybe when you turn up and think 'this is how you think the day is going to go'.

"So we've got to get better. It's happened a few times, we thought that chase was very achievable."

With several top-order batters averaging under 22 across the series, Cummins acknowledged that selection discussions are inevitable before taking on New Zealand in December.

"We lost two games in a row, it's fair to be asking those questions (of selections), we'll be asking them internally as well.

"We are a very good side, but I think we need to get a little bit better if we want to get back to number one and where we think we can be.

"Maybe that's a change of style, maybe it's change of personnel in some instances."

Reflecting on the tour as a whole, Cummins maintained that the series came down to critical passages of play rather than systemic failure.

"It was 1-0 up in the series. I think we had some great moments. 

"I think most series that you miss out on, even just individual Tests, it always comes down to little moments.

"You just wish you had those little moments again. Throughout this series we've had our little moments, but South Africa were better than us in those moments."

Australia Tour of South Africa Results:

First Test: Australia won by 214 runs

Second Test: South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs

Third Test: South Africa won by 176 runs