Australia captain Pat Cummins admits it is hard to "paper over the cracks" after a thumping second Test defeat to South Africa, with the fate of at least three players hanging in the balance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The visitors crashed by an innings and 31 runs at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Thursday to leave the three-Test series finely poised at 1-1 heading into the decider at Cape Town next week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia collapsed to 99 all out in their first innings and were then dismissed for 295, with a superb 121 from Travis Head and defiant 40 off 166 balls by nightwatchman Scott Boland the only highlights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The manner of the heavy loss did not go down well in Australia, with headlines ranging from "horror show" to "shambolic Aussies" and "brutal failures laid bare".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Clearly need to be a lot better than that if we want to compete," Cummins said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think a loss can sometimes kick you into gear. You can maybe paper over the cracks sometimes in a win. Whereas I think in a loss, it makes you ask questions as a player of yourself."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Heading into the third Test, there are question marks around at least three players, not least the underperforming Marnus Labuschagne who has gone three years without a Test century.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He's actually doing the hard bit, he's getting to 30," Cummins said of number three Labuschagne.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think he's got to find a way to turn those into bigger scores -- 30s aren't going to win you many matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"So, again, we'll work on that in the next couple of days. It's one Test match left in the series, we've got to win this."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Recently-recalled opener Nic Maddinson is also on shaky ground after scores of 0, 48, 0 and 8 across the first two Tests, while all-rounder Beau Webster appears vulnerable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cameron Green is expected to be available for Cape Town after injury sidelined him from the first two Tests while Josh Inglis is also fit. Cooper Connolly is another option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Paceman Boland, who came into the side at Gqeberha at the expense of spinner Nathan Lyon, will be hard to drop given his batting exploits and a five-wicket haul in the first innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Much will depend on the nature of the Cape Town pitch on whether Australia again opt for four seamers or Lyon is brought back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cummins admitted some hard decisions would have to be made.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That's the challenge. Do you give someone one more game, or do you feel like now is the right time to make a move?" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n