AUSTRALIA VS SOUTH AFRICA, 1ST TEST

It's 'deflating' to be in losing position: Peter Siddle

 •  Published on
"They have batted well but we haven't been able to consistently take wickets."
"They have batted well but we haven't been able to consistently take wickets." © Cricbuzz

To state the obvious, Day 5 of the final Test looms as a major challenge for Australia; one that appears an impossibility. Their battered middle and lower order need to survive the entirety of the day to avoid a humiliating defeat. Forget the travails of England in the subcontinent, an Australian defeat would arguably be their worst in recent memory.

Considering Australia were in an impregnable position early on Day 2, at a time South Africa were handicapped losing spearhead Dale Steyn, this looming loss is unforgiveable. Australia have not lost a home Test for four years but anything short of a miracle will end that 18-match streak.

A defeat is essentially an inevitability but Day 5 looms as a defining day for Australia and the fledgling captaincy of Steve Smith, who came into the series with a hint of pressure after the recent poor stretch.

The pressure will intensify notably if Australia folds early on the final day and suffers a massive loss. They need to show resoluteness and backbone in a desperate effort to restore some much-needed confidence and pride. Perhaps replicating the type of deeds Faf du Plessis memorably showcased during his match-saving innings in Adelaide four years ago is asking too much from Australia's frail batsmen, but a healthy dose of application and grit are prerequisites for Australia's remaining batsmen.

Startling, Australia has not shown much ticker when faced in these types of holes. Innately bravado, Australia prefer packing a healthy punch and attacking opponents. But when faced in a hole, Australia are seemingly unable to stonewall for lengthy periods.

Testament of this, Australia haven't batted out a draw when faced with a fourth innings total of more than 200 this decade. In a major indictment, Australia has not been able to bat for over a day to force a draw since they negated 108 overs during the 2005 Ashes in Manchester, best remembered for Ricky Ponting's match-saving heroics.

Adding to the difficulty, Australia will be without David Warner and Smith - their two best batsmen - and the pressure is now on a slew of under-performing batsmen. After looking loose early, Usman Khawaja regained some of his lost confidence and survived to stumps with an unbeaten half-century. But he needs a mature and lengthy innings to dismiss the hovering critics.

Out-of-form allrounder Mitch Marsh and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill have also been in the gun due to mediocre batting averages in the early 20s. It seems unlikely these slumping batsmen can magically click into gear under such an arduous challenge, but conjuring something memorable might just be the fillip the struggling team desperately needs.

Speaking in the press conference after the day's play on Sunday (November 6), Peter Siddle, Australia's veteran paceman, admitted the team was glum over their fall from grace. "(It is a) bit deflating to be sitting in the position we are in," he said. "Disappointing to be in this position after playing some good cricket during this Test match."

In a major concern for Australia, with a short turnaround between Tests, their flagging bowlers have been in the field four days consecutively. Mitchell Starc and Siddle came into the match underdone, having just recently recovered from injuries. After looking spry in South Africa's first innings, both struggled as the game wore on.

Siddle confirmed the bowlers were tired but believed they would be ready for the second Test in Hobart starting on Saturday (November 12). "We are very tired, bowling every day of a Test match is hard work," he said. "Bowlers want a day off ideally to rest up and recuperate but that wasn't meant to be. "They have batted well but we haven't been able to consistently take wickets.

"I feel good...it was tiring to be out there but that's part of the game," he said.

Despite having their back firmly against the wall, Siddle believed Australia still had a chance to avoid defeat. "This next partnership is going to be big for us and (needs to) see us through the first session," he said. "Stranger things can happen if we can drag them out. We have got to keep them out (in the field) as long as possible.

"If we can get through the first burst in the morning it will put pressure on them," he added.

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