Darren Lehmann admits Australia batting is in crisis after collapse to 85 all out
Saturday 12 November 2016 12:48, UK
Australia coach Darren Lehmann admits their collapse against South Africa suggests the team's batting is in crisis and hinted at radical changes to the team.
The Aussies were skittled out for just 85 by South Africa on the first day of the second Test in Hobart.
Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott may the most of overcast skies and a moist pitch to rip through the Aussie batting.
Asked if he thought Australia are in a batting crisis he said: "When you get bowled out for 85, it probably is, isn't it?"
Only two Australian batsmen reached double figures, pace bowler Joe Mennie making 10 and skipper Steve Smith a gritty 48 not out.
Lehmann said it was time the selectors reassessed their options.
"We believe this is the best squad we've got to play. On today's performance you'd say we've got to change," he said.
"We had seen it all before, but that didn't make it any easier to believe it was happening again, this time on home soil."
Lehmann said the performance brought back memories of the fourth Ashes Test of 2015, when Australia were bowled out for 60 in their first innings by England in Nottingham.
Saturday's debacle represented Australia's second-worst start in a home Test when batting first since they lost six wickets for 31 against England in Brisbane in 1978.
Australia's last tour ended in a 3-0 series drubbing by Sri Lanka and they were beaten by 177 runs by South Africa in the first Test of the current three-match series.
Australia were top of the world Test rankings before the Sri Lanka series but they have since dropped down and Lehmann said: "Even four Tests ago [when] we were No 1. Now, we're way away from that."
