South Africa vs Australia 2018: 3rd Test, day 4, 5 things we learnt
Australia turned un-Australia in every possible way on a bizarre day's play at Newlands as they ended up losing the fourth Test in a downright deplorable manner. Spurred on by some lower middle-order fireworks, South Africa took their lead to 430 before Australia, courtesy David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, put on a half-century stand to evoke hopes of a silent Aussie fightback.
That did not materialise as the visitors collapsed from 57/0 to 59/4 which soon turned into 86/7 and 107 all out. Morne Morkel was the wrecker in chief, snapping up a five-wicket haul to reduce Australia to tatters in their worst day on a cricket field probably since the inception of the game.
#5 Tim Paine skippers as Smith, Warner go silent
From a surprise call-up to the Ashes Test squad to captaining Australia in one of the most fiercely contested series, Tim Paine's career has come a full circle in less than six months.
In the aftermath of the sandpapergate, Cricket Australia decided to ask Steven Smith and David Warner to step down from their respective positions as captain and vice-captain.
"Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as Captain and Vice-Captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match," Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland commented. "This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim, we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands."
"As I said earlier today, Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect certain standards of conduct from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion, these standards have not been met. All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priority."
The first session of play saw a rather flat Australian team with some of their most vocal players going mute. Tim Paine, though, would sit down with his grandchildren years later and recount this Test match where bizarre circumstances saw him emerge as a frontrunner to lead the side.