Du Plessis urges Proteas to go for Aussie jugular

Following a defeat by an innings and 80-runs, the hosts have lost the three-match Test series to South Africa 2-0.

The Proteas bowled out the home side for 161 before lunch on the fourth day, taking their last eight wickets for 32 in 116 balls after routing Australia for 85 in the first innings.

Yes, they have lost five Test matches in a row, but their preparation for this series has been disastrous, with players given just one Sheffield Shield match – played under lights and with a pink ball – before the Test series.

Australia were bowled out for 85 and 161 in their first and second innings’ respectively, and in the absence of Dale Steyn who broke his shoulder in the first Test, his successor, Kyle Abbot produced some exhilarating swing to earn himself the man-of-the-match in the second test. “We are not being resilient, we are not willing to tough it out and get through tough periods.it is not good enough”.

“We need guys in state cricket to really step and jump out of the pack”, he said.

2013 The last time before this Australia had lost five or more consecutive Tests. “We’ve got to stop the rot, we’ve got to work out what’s the best eleven”.

The win means South Africa have now won the three-match Test series 2-0, with the final Test at the Adelaide Oval now all about playing for pride for Australia, while the Proteas will target a whitewash.

Smith is now top-ranked batsmen in the world, with 15 centuries to his name in 45 Tests, but his role as a captain has been under the scanner following five successive Test defeats that also saw Australia slip to third from first in the team rankings.

Du Plessis believes the current successes will hopefully go a long way in instilling the belief that future South African generations can also come here and win. This is a very special moment.

The Australians were ranked No. 1 until being swept 3-0 in Sri Lanka in July.

“All our bowlers were exceptional”.

“I’m so happy for Kyle. every single time he gets an opportunity he puts his hand up”.

“It’s definitely attitude. It’s an aggressive attitude that makes sure you’re always in the opposition’s faces, ” du Plessis explained of South Africa’s approach to the series.

Recent results are showing the Australian national side to be anything but “Invincible” as their nickname might otherwise imply, and the weekend’s play did nothing to suggest a change in form is on the cards.

“We ve got Australia in a position where they re under pressure and won t let that go”.

Sunderland fell short of attributing Australia’s poor performance to Test scheduling and preparation but said that he wanted to look at it closely.

If the immediate cause of the problem is a lack of confidence and application with the bat there are deeper-rooted problems, not least in the way Australian selectors are flailing wildly for the right formula.