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Australia Suffer Shocking Collapse Against South Africa In Hobart

Australian cricket is definitely not looking up.
The Australians are off to a shocking start in Hobart.
Cricket Australia/Getty Images
The Australians are off to a shocking start in Hobart.

Australia has been bowled out for just 85 runs in a dismal start to the second Test against South Africa in Hobart.

In a disastrous first innings at Bellerive, just 2 Aussie batsmen made it to double figures, with captain Steve Smith unbeaten on 48 and debutant Joe Mennie making 10.

Fast bowler Vernon Philander was the destroyer for the South Africans, taking 5/21. His effort was all the more impressive given he was forced to take a spell in the sheds after a nasty mid-pitch collision with Smith before lunch.

The day got off to a horror start for the Aussies, with 5 of the team's batsmen falling for just 18 runs in the first 13 overs of play on Saturday.

The rot started fast after openers David Warner and Joe Burns took to the centre looking intent on redemption after the team's collapse in performance in the first Test in Perth.

But just 2 overs into play, Warner was caught behind and Burns was trapped LBW, seeing both openers back in the pavilion with 1 run apiece.

Usman Khawaja and Adam Voges were dismissed cheaply soon afterwards, leaving Australia in major trouble at 4/8, before Test debutant Callum Ferguson was run out for 3.

That left captain Smith and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill trying to steady the ship as South Africa looked to press home its early advantage.

The Aussie resistance didn't last long, with Nevill adjudged LBW to quick Kagiso Rabada on referral for 3, and Australia limped to lunch at 6/43.

Australia's slump continued in the afternoon session, with Mennie bowled by Philander and Mitchell Starc out for 4, spectacularly caught by Jean-Paul Duminy off Kyle Abbott's bowling.

Josh Hazlewood was the next to go, out for 8, and Nathan Lyon completed the rout, caught behind for 2.

Australia's poor first innings follows a string of lacklustre results, including the loss to the Proteas by 177 runs at the WACA. That performance forced Test selectors to change team selection policy.

Australia pushed back after tea but did not recover from was a disappointing day for Australian cricket. At stumps South Africa was 5-171, leading Australia by 86 runs.

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