# Australia fight back to keep Cummins out of unwanted club… for now

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/australia-fight-back-to-keep-cummins-out-of-unwanted-club-for-now/
- Published: 2026-10-27T17:10:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T19:05:27+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c51kdggvmy7mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Africa, Sport, World

## Key points

- Australia lost the second Test by an innings and 31 runs.
- Starc took six wickets, including a decisive late burst.
- Cummins’s decision to bowl first remains under scrutiny.

## Summary

Australia were bowled out by South Africa in the second Test, losing by an innings and 31 runs, but a late burst from Mitchell Starc kept the match from slipping further out of reach. Pat Cummins’s decision to bowl first under clear skies had looked costly after South Africa made a strong start, leaving him at risk of being remembered for a poor toss call.

South Africa moved from 203-1 to 329 all out, with Aiden Markram scoring 78, David Bedingham 50 and Marques Ackerman 95. Australia’s bowlers capitalised on attacking shots, while Starc took six wickets for 72, including four late wickets with the new ball; the series decider could affect which side finishes top of the rankings.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.