Rabada is 'the best strike bowler in the world' - David Saker

With Australia staring a 3-1 series defeat in the face – they will begin day three of the fourth Test at the Wanderers six wicket down and 178 runs away from avoiding the follow on – the time is almost upon them to look at why they haven’t been able to repeat the success they’ve had on previous tours of South Africa. In 2014 they beat South Africa 2-1 to claim the MRF Tyres ICC No.1 Test ranking, and, barring a miraculous comeback, this will be their first series loss in South Africa since the Proteas’ readmission to international cricket.

Assistant coach David Saker was able to find plenty of areas to improve on, and plenty in how their opposition have played to try and emulate in the future. “The opposition bowled particularly well and we didn't deal with that,” he said. “That has been a little bit of the story of the series so far. We didn't leave the ball well and the opposition left the ball extremely well. They've outplayed us for sure.”

He saved particular praise for South Africa’s new ball pair. “I think they've been extremely accurate, which is a big factor in being a good bowling attack,” he said. “They've got Vernon Philander, who is as accurate a bowler as there is in the world. He also moves the ball, which is a challenge.

“And they've got probably the best strike bowler in the world in (Kagiso) Rabada. They complement each other very well and their spinner is bowling extremely well as well. But we just haven't combatted it well enough with the bat.”

The lead-up to this game has been dominated by the ball-tampering scandal which has seen Australia’s Test captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and series leading run scorer Cameron Bancroft all banned for extensive periods, and head coach Darren Lehmann announce this would be his final Test in charge. Saker acknowledged the tricky position the replacements and the team have been put in by the situation.

"I think to put three guys into a Test match - two have come from Australia, one hasn't played a competitive game for a while - it was always going to be a little bit tough," Saker said. "We've just taken on board to try to really care for each other this week. We're realists and we're going to out to try to play as best we can.

“But we're just trying to care about each other and trying to put in a performance that the Australian nation and our group are proud of. So far that hasn't happened, but the effort's been there and there's no doubt in the dressing room the guys are trying their hardest, it just hasn't worked this game.

"After the week we've had, there's a lot of disappointment in the room that we can't put something together. We're not thinking too much about what's happening at home but we're thinking about the people that are part of our team that we've lost and that's hurting a lot of people in the dressing room.

“That is probably something that is hard to get out of their mind while they're playing, and no excuses again, but it's obviously playing a factor in the way we're playing so far in this game."

"The one thing this week brought us was a game of cricket and we thought we'd get out in the middle and forget everything, and it was a good place for some of the players to just get out and play cricket again.

"It hasn't gone the way we would like, but we've got three more days and we'll fight as hard as we can possibly fight to make this game very competitive. But at the moment we're a long way behind the eight ball and we'll fight as hard as we can tomorrow. We're going to go out and play it like it's another game of cricket but there's obviously things behind the scenes that aren't normal."

Perhaps the lone bright spark for Australia this series has been the continued good form of fast bowler Pat Cummins, who took two wickets in two balls this morning to finish off the South African innings and complete a first five-wicket haul since his Test debut against the Proteas in 2011.

"The series has been really pleasing. It's so good to see him get five wickets today," Saker said of Cummins. "He's probably deserved that in many Tests this series. He's bowled some spells this series that are as good as any bowler has bowled for Australia before. He's backed it up now for probably over 12 months.”

Cummins’ success is especially heartening considering the injury problems which have plagued him and forced an absence of more than five years from the Australian Test side. “He's now trusting his body, which is great for him,” said Saker. "There was times when he would have found that playing a game of cricket was going to be a worry because he thought he was going to break down but now he's got through some really good overs and bowling at good pace and good control. It's been really pleasing he's kept through the summer and this series, it's been outstanding."