NOW THEY’RE STRUGGLING ON THE PITCH TOO

AIDEN MARKRAM ensured Australia’s misery in South Africa continued on the field as well as off it. The opener hit a career best 152 as the home side ended the first day of the fourth Test at 313-6 in Johannesburg. It must have been the quietest Aussie team in living memory, with a noticeable lack of sledging. ‘There was no chat out there — those days are gone,’ said Tim Paine, Steve Smith’s replacement as captain. Paine also took credit for the teams shaking hands before the match, saying: ‘I chatted to Faf (South Africa captain Du Plessis) about it and he said, “Yeah, good idea”.’

GETTY IMAGES On the slide: Mitchell Marsh hits the deck on a tough day in the field