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‘They lacked passion, fight’: Australia’s cricketers under fire

The critics are out in force.

The critics are out in force. Photo: Getty

The heavy fall-out to Australia’s first Test defeat in Perth has continued with Kepler Wessels criticising Steve Smith’s side for a lack of passion and fight.

South Africa looked on the ropes early on day two of the series opener at the WACA, with Australia 0-158 in response to their total of 242, but the hosts collapsed and then struggled with the ball.

It led to a heavy 177-run loss in a match South Africa were missing injured star Dale Steyn for the majority of, and the defeat has sparked serious criticism ahead of the second Test in Hobart.

Wessels, who played for Australia during South Africa’s apartheid-era ban from international cricket, before returning to his home nation, said the Aussies are feeling the pressure.

“They lacked quality, passion and the fighting spirit associated with Australian teams of the past,” Wessels wrote for South African network SuperSport.

“Their batting line-up has a frail look about it.

“If David Warner or Steve Smith don’t score heavily, the Aussies are in trouble.

“As individuals, the Australian players are under huge pressure.

“They have lost four Test matches in a row.”

Wessels aimed fire at captain Smith, who made a duck and 34 in Perth, and said his leadership was not at the standard required in the series opener.

steve smith australia test

Smith needs to do better, says Wessels. Photo: Getty

“Captain Steve Smith, in particular, is under the pump,” he wrote.

“His captaincy in this Test match was unimpressive.

“He isn’t in the best form with the bat either, which compounds the problem for him personally and for the team as a whole.”

Smith did make a hundred in his previous Test before this series, and has passed 50 in five of his 11 innings in cricket’s longest format this year.

Wessels also hit out at the Australian selectors, saying if they “had any sense” they would stop picking all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and instead opt for six batsmen, a wicket-keeper and four bowlers.

‘I think it’s a bit of a mental thing now’

Ex-Australian batsman Mark Waugh, who is now a national selector, said Smith’s side were making a habit of losing from very strong positions.

“The facts are it was disappointing,” Waugh said on Fox Sports.

“I mean, we shouldn’t lose from that position, really.

“We’ve seen it happen probably three or four times in the last five Test matches where we’ve dominated day one, we’ve been ahead in the game and then I don’t know whether it’s a subconscious thing where we relax a bit.

south africa celebrate wicket

Australia lost wickets in clumps in Perth. Photo: Getty

“But South Africa played great. Full credit to them. But if our boys look at their performances, they’ll know they can do a lot better than that.

“I think it’s a bit of a mental thing now, possibly.

“Maybe we’re thinking about something else, but they’re not concentrating on that ball and what to do if the ball’s reversing or a left-arm spinner’s bowling.”

Waugh called on the batting group to work harder to build partnerships at the Bellerive Oval, the venue for the second Test, which begins on Saturday.

“These guys are talented enough and, if you look at them individually, they’ve all made runs at different times,” he added.

“But as a unit we’re just not getting partnerships after the first one, really.

“We’re just losing wickets in blocks and having two new batsmen at the crease, which is always tough in Test match cricket.”

Changes in the Australian team are assured, with Joe Burns set to replace Shaun Marsh (broken finger) at the top of the order.

Callum Ferguson may replace Adam Voges (hamstring) for his Test debut, while either Joe Mennie or Jackson Bird should come in for Peter Siddle (back).

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