Why loss to South Africa could prove blessing in disguise for under-siege Aussies

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Adam Gilchrist is predicting a “dogfight” between Australia and New Zealand in their looming Test series, but Michael Vaughan says Pat Cummins’ side has improved following their capitulation in South Africa last month.

Test great Adam Gilchrist is predicting a “dogfight” between Australia and New Zealand in their looming series, but Michael Vaughan believes Pat Cummins’ side knows more about themselves following their capitulation in South Africa last month.

Australia’s cricketers have been in the firing line since squandering a 1-0 series lead in their recent tour of South Africa.

Former Test batsman Usman Khawaja’s explosive revelations in his autobiography Sabr regarding who knew what in the 2018 sandpaper scandal against South Africa has gripped the cricketing world since Saturday.

But Vaughan, the 2005 Ashes-winning captain, believes Australia is further ahead than they were before the stunning series loss to the Proteas as they prepare for a busy 10 months, featuring tours of India and England.

“In South Africa, it was a positive tour, even though they lost, because they found Matt Renshaw, they found Josh Inglis,” Vaughan said at the Kayo and Fox Cricket launch in Sydney.

“Marnus [Labuschagne] has been moved from No.3, who’s been averaging just over 20 for the last two years. If you want to be the best team in the world, you can’t have your No.3 averaging 20.

“I saw a few signs in that series in South Africa that Australia [are] not going to go away. And England, they’ll be happy with this situation because Australia are under a huge amount of pressure. But, as we saw in 2019 and in 2023, Australia will put up a good fight in England.”

But debate is still raging about the make-up of Australia’s XI, especially the top three, four weeks out from the first Test against the Black Caps in Perth from December 9.

Mark Waugh, Mike Hussey and Kerry O’Keeffe believe Travis Head should move down the order.

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