What the heck is going on?

Rewind two weeks and the Aussies were cruising in the first test. 0/158 and well in control chasing an average South Africa first innings total of 242.

Fast forward to the present and things have gone completely pear-shaped.

Credit where credit is due, the world class South African pace attack has been brilliant.

Steyn, Philander, Abott & Rabada all average under 23 with the ball. World class pace attack in any era #wwos #AUSvSA — Ian Chappell (@IanChappelli) November 15, 2016

The South African bowlers have terrorised the Aussie batsmen without their marquee star Dale Steyn. There have been batting collapses all round from Australia’s top and middle order.

The series is gone and Australia is staring down the barrel of an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash. And don’t you worry South African stand-in Captain Faf du Plessis has his eyes on the clean sweep.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity of beating Australia 3-0. It’s not often it happens.”

He also appears to have some advice for the Aussie selectors…

Faf du Plessis says Aust erred by not sending full-strength team to recent ODI tour of Sth Af. Allowed Proteas to build confidence #AUSvSA — Andrew Ramsey (@ARamseyCricket) November 15, 2016

What has been most disturbing has been the lack of discipline from the Aussie batsmen. Few if any seem willing to stick around and grind out an innings. Far too many of them have been dismissed cheaply playing what could only be described as ‘dumb’ shots.

Abbott is all over the Aussies this morning #AUSvSA https://t.co/toY3Is3rXY — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 14, 2016

Voges may well have cost himself his place in the Test team with this shocker but he was certainly not alone. Despite his stand alone 48 n.o in Australia’s 85 all-out debacle, Captain Steven Smith is under siege like Steven Seagal.

“They gave us no freedom really.”

“We’ve got to find a way to be more resilient and spend some time in the middle. We’ve got to find a way to be successful because what we’re doing at the moment isn’t working.”

Smith has appealed for Aussie fans to stand by his team.

“Stick with us we’re doing our best, we’re trying to turn things around.”

Smith kept cards close to his chest when asked about possible changes to the line-up.

“That’s up to selectors. But if you lose five tests in a row these things are going to be talked about.”

For now maybe this tip from Hughesy isn’t such a bad idea….

Aussie cricketers should be made to swim back to mainland if want to be picked for Adelaide Test. Need to find out who’s committed. #ausvsa — Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) November 15, 2016

by Michael T. Lynch – contributor