The giant that was Australian cricket fell long before Hashim Amla hit the winning runs at the MCG today. Even the most optimistic of fans would have to admit that the cracks which appeared early this year are now gaping wounds. Gone are Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist and Langer, and gone with them is the mighty Australian juggernaut.

The retirements of so many great players was supposed to pull us back to the pack while the depth of our domestic system was supposed to keep us in front. That was an illusion. Our new team has been outplayed by India and outclassed by South Africa. The records show us at number one still but no one is under the illusion that the ranking reflects reality. We are, at best, number three, now, and sliding.

The giant has fallen. The fair weather fans are starting to jump. The rest of us will see it through just like we did in the eighties. Hopefully, unlike the eighties, we won’t have long to wait before the giant rises again.

C’mon, Aussie, c’mon.

It’s all over. The South Africans ended up losing just four wickets in getting to the target of 414. Now come the repercussions and the realization that Australia is no longer the world beater it used to be. Everyone in the team has to take the blame: Ricky Ponting’s captaincy is suspect; the batsmen are playing foolish shots; the bowlers can’t take twenty wickets.

So we look forward to the rest of the summer. Can our boys lift from this demoralizing defeat and win the next two tests? It’s a hard ask.

The day began well from an Australian perspective. Haddin smashed his way to 94 before throwing his wicket. He received great support from Krezja and Siddle. By the time the last wicket fell Australia had set South Africa a target of 414. The pitch is still playing well and I really think the target is achievable especially against our bowling attack.

There was a moment of hope when McKenzie went cheaply but Smith and Ambla smashed the door wide open. Our bowlers don’t look like breaking through. Even the breaks due to rain didn’t dent their concentration.

The rain delays didn’t take any time away from the match because the day was extended until 8:00pm. That only gave South Africa more time to eat into the total. Even the wickets of Smith, after a magnificent 100, and Ambla towards the end of the day haven’t slow them down. The South Africans should romp this in tomorrow.

The roller-coaster continues on its merry way, providing euphoria one minute, despondency the next. The hoped for denouement didn’t come as quickly as I hoped it would and South Africa managed another 40 runs for a total of 281. Mitchell Johnson got his eighth wicket but really deserved to finish with nine. Bret Lee went wicketless again which is a concern.

The pitch isn’t bad at all. If the batsmen are patient they can make runs. The Aussies obviously weren’t patient and our top order failed again. A total of 400 is achievable here, yet Australia were suddenly 7 for 162. This is worse than their effort in the first innings. Thankfully Haddin and Krejza were still there at stumps and had taken the score on to 228.

What does this roller-coaster ride have in store for tomorrow?

This test match has given us two fantastic days of play. The rollercoaster ride continued today as Australia began the day with one wicket in hand. That wicket didn’t fall until 50 minutes had gone and more than 30 runs were added. The final score of 375 all out was better than I had hoped given that we were 3 for 15 at one stage.

South Africa’s batsmen batted well and looked to be in total control at 3 for 234. Then Ponting threw the ball to Mitchell Johnson and the last 40 minutes of play produced one of the best bowling performances I have ever seen. Johnson took 5 wickets for a handful of runs and looked unplayable. Australia had wrested the initiative back and left an ecstatically silly grin on this fan’s face.