South Africa Defends Batting Blunders in Cape Town Test

South Africa's batters were criticized for their dismissals on day three of the Cape Town Test against Australia, with the home side losing three of four wickets to post 4-140 in their second innings, just 40 runs ahead, Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Spinner Simon Harmer defended his teammates, saying it was easy for spectators and media to judge players without experiencing the pressure of being on the field.

Harmer said batters had to make quick decisions under pressure, and sometimes made mistakes.

The Proteas were guilty of reckless dismissals, including Aiden Markram driving a catch to mid-off, David Bedingham hooking a short ball, and captain Temba Bavuma being bowled playing across the line.

The team's coach, Shukri Conrad, had earlier expressed frustration with his batters' decision-making.

Harmer said players who made mistakes would be the first to acknowledge them.

The third Test continues on October 27-31 at Newlands, Cape Town.

Teams

South Africa's Test squad includes Temba Bavuma, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.

Australia's Test squad includes Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Beau Webster.

Background

The series is being broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket.