Steven Smith 'embarrassed' by 'humiliating' defeat to South Africa
Tuesday 15 November 2016 11:58, UK
Australia captain Steven Smith said he was embarrassed by his team's performance against South Africa and accused his players of lacking pride after another batting collapse paved the way to a crushing series defeat.
Having resumed on 121-2 on day four in Hobart, the hosts lost eight wickets for 40 runs before lunch to crumble to an innings and 80-run loss, the team's fifth successive Test defeat as South Africa took a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Australia now head to Adelaide for the series finale under lights next week with confidence at rock-bottom and pundits demanding wholesale changes to the team.
"It's not working. Obviously on the back of five losses there's going to be a lot talked about in regards to selection and things like that," said Smith.
"We're not digging in enough, we're not having the pride in our wicket ... Something's got to change and we've got to play a lot better than we have been if we're going to beat any opposition around the world at the moment.
"I need players that are willing to get in the contest and get in the battle and have some pride in playing for Australia and pride in the baggy green (cap).
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"I'm quite sick of saying it. We've lost five times in a row and for an Australian cricket team that's humiliating and I'm embarrassed to be sitting here in this position, to be honest with you."
Australia coach Darren Lehmann guaranteed there would be further changes to the team before Adelaide, but Smith gave a bleak prognosis of the available replacements.
"We need guys in state cricket to really step and jump out of the pack," he said. "I don't think there's anyone really doing that at the moment, that's really averaging 55-60, things like that.
"So there's obviously going to be questions asked in all different ways."
