Michael Clarke labelled his side's batting as "disgraceful" after they were dismissed for just 47 against South Africa.
Australia skipper slams top order after embarrassing total of 47
Australia captain Michael Clarke labelled his side's batting "disgraceful" after they were dismissed for just 47 on an incredible second day of the first Test against South Africa.
After the tourists had reached 284 all out in their first innings, they then proceeded to skittle the Proteas for just 96 to take a firm grip on the contest in Cape Town.
But Australia failed to capitalise on the situation and instead posted their lowest Test total in over a century, with Clarke left fuming at the capitulation.
"The top seven need to take full responsibility, that certainly was not good enough," said Clarke, who could only manage two runs in the second innings after scoring 151 in the first.
"I myself as the leader, especially coming off a hundred, am to blame. Our shot selection was horrible, you have to give South Africa credit for bowling very well, but it was unacceptable.
"Our shot selection was disgraceful, there's no excuse for being bowled out for 47, we just did not exercise our skills. We played big shots at the wrong time."
He added: "I've never had a day like that in my career before. Hopefully I never will again."
Belief
South Africa reached the close on 81-1 in their second innings, but Clarke is confident his side can regroup and prevent the hosts from chasing down a target of 236.
"I have no doubt we can still win, we have a great opportunity to win tomorrow in my opinion," the 30-year-old said.
"If we can put the ball in the right areas for long enough and hold our catches. The pitch hasn't changed, there's still enough in it to make it difficult, especially when it's overcast."
South Africa opener Jacques Rudolph was the lone wicket to fall in the Proteas' second innings but is confident the rest of the batting order can still finish off the job on day three.
"Tomorrow we need to have a very good attitude and put in a clinical performance, but we've chased very well previously against Australia," Rudolph said.
"It was a strange day, to see so many wickets falling in two or three hours. But the captain said to put it behind us and go out firing.
"At one stage I looked at the scoreboard and saw 21-9 and I couldn't believe it. There were 15 wickets in a row where batsman were out for less than 10.
"The pitch has just quickened up a bit, but I think it's just about finding the balance between being too positive and too tentative, and some poor execution as well."
