Australia struggle in Test even as Warner apologises
South Africa moved closer to a first home Test series win over Australia since 1970 as the depleted tourists slipped to 110-6 on Day 2 of the fourth and final Test at Johannesburg.
Australia, missing the suspended trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft after the ball-tampering scandal marred the third Test at Cape Town last week, saw their top order collapse in response to the hosts’ 488.
New openers Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns, as well as Peter Handscomb, who batted at Smith’s No 4, combined for just 12 runs.
Australia briefly recovered with a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket but after Usman Khawaja (53) edged to Quinton de Kock, the Marsh brothers fell in successive overs to leave them six down.
Stand-in captain Tim Paine reached stumps unscathed but his side need another 179 just to avoid the follow-on.
Earlier, South Africa, who lead the series 2-1, took their overnight score of 313-6 to 488 all out – the sixth-highest Test score at the ground.
Temba Bavuma produced a brilliant innings but fell five runs short of a second Test century when he ran out of partners. Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins took 5-83.
Meanwhile, even as Paine signalled a new approach with a pre-match handshake between the teams at Johannesburg, Warner became the third disgraced Australia player to make an emotional appearance in front of media in Sydney.
Former vice-captain Warner said he realised he may never play for his country again as he apologised yesterday over the ball-tampering scandal.
The usually pugnacious batsman repeatedly struggled to talk and tears ran down his face as he apologised to fans, teammates, his family and the public.
But he also evaded questions about whether the plot was his idea, whether it was the first time, who else was aware of it and whether he had been made a scapegoat.
“I can honestly say I have only wanted to bring glory to my country through playing cricket,” said Warner, 31.
“In striving to do so I have made the decision which has had the opposite effect and it’s one that I will regret for as long as I live.”
Warner’s appearance comes after similar heartfelt apologies from opening batsman Bancroft and deposed captain Smith, who broke down when he faced the media on Thursday.
Coach Darren Lehmann, convinced to step down after seeing the anguished statements from Bancroft and Smith, was also tearful as he announced his resignation.
Smith and Warner were banned from international and domestic cricket for a year and Bancroft was suspended for nine months after the incident in Cape Town.
Bancroft was caught on camera trying to use yellow sandpaper to alter the ball, an offence which triggered an outpouring of criticism from home and abroad against the hard-nosed Australian team.
Warner, a dynamic batsman but a divisive figure in the game, has appeared isolated after he was charged by Cricket Australia with developing the plot and telling Bancroft to carry it out.
“I suppose there is a tiny ray of hope that I may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again, but I am resigned to the fact that may never happen,” Warner said.
He also signalled a possible appeal when he said: “That’s something that I will continue to sit down with my family and weigh up all my considerations before I make any decisions.”
A report yesterday said Bancroft was set to lodge an appeal and had sought legal advice.
The deadline for appeals is on Thursday.