It was the 20-minute collapse South Africa, according to Australian legend Michael Hussey, “would rather forget”.
Just when it seemed like the Proteas, for the first time this series, had gained some sort of advantage and rhythm with the bat, they fell in a heap just before lunch against Australia on day one of the Boxing Day Test.
And it was primarily their own undoing.
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After captain Dean Elgar had seen off the new ball and No. 3 Theunis de Bruyn appearing confident at the crease following two consecutive boundaries, South Africa appeared well placed at 2-56 ahead of the 20th over.
Cue a ‘de Bruyn fade’ that left Fox Cricket commentators flabbergasted.
After showing great discipline to leave the ball outside the off-stump during his previous 29 balls, de Bruyn played and missed on a cut shot before top-edging a pull shot that went high into the Melbourne air then into the gloves Alex Carey off Cameron Green’s bowling.
“Well if he’s not cross with himself he should be,” ex-Kiwi keeper Ian Smith said of de Bruyn on Fox Cricket. “For any number of reasons here, this is just a very, very poor and tough option.
“It’s just a mental block.”
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were then reintroduced into the attack and put the pressure right back on the Proteas, who only managed two runs from their next two overs.
Starc, in particular, made life tough for Elgar, who had a couple of plays and misses as the left-arm Aussie quick honed in on a tight line and length. Then with eight minutes before lunch, Elga pushed the ball into the covers hoping for a quick single, only to be run out thanks to a brilliant piece of fielding by Marnus Labuschagne.
Smith said Elgar, who appeared despondent post-dismissal, had committed a “cardinal sin” of cricket so close to lunch.
“South Africa have now given Australia three gifts in this opening session – three gifts they never need,” Smith said, also referring to the earlier dismissal of Sarel Erwee, who was caught in the slips after flashing at and edging a wide delivery.
Next ball, Starc’s hot form continued, with a terrific ball catching the outside edge of Temba Bavuma’s bat and sailing into the gloves of Carey. Smith said the Bavuma dismissal was primarily down to brilliant bowling, rather than a batting clanger, but other commentators believed Bavuma could’ve left the ball due to the extra bounce the MCG wicket provides.
Still, one normally brings two. On this occasion it brought three: 1-56 had turned into 4-58 in 19 deliveries.
“This last half an hour has been horrible for South Africa. In the blink of an eye they’re 4-58,” Hussey said.
“The decision to bowl first has now been vindicated by the results. It didn’t look like it was going to be that way, but the last 20 minutes have been excellent for Australia – and 20 minutes South Africa would rather forget.”
Former Australian coach Justin Langer told Channel 7 it was “pretty dumb cricket” by South Africa.
Four-test batter Khaya Zondo saw out the final over before lunch from Cummins.
But the damage had already been done – and Cummins’ bold gamble to bowl first on a reasonably bat-friendly deck was vindicated.
