Despite having both Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green bat lower than usual because of finger injuries, the Aussies pounded South Africa into the MCG dirt on Wednesday, building a 386-run first innings lead before finally declaring and then leaving the Proteas reeling at 1-15 when rain stopped play early.The tourists’ batting had been a much-documented Achilles heel but an attack dubbed pre-match by captain Dean Elgar as the world’s best was flattened by the Aussies, with only Anrich Nortje (3-92) providing consistent resistance.Rabada, No. 3 on the ICC Test bowling rankings and with 267 Test wickets to his name, went at more than five runs an over to finish with the unflattering figures of 2-144.Langeveldt, the former Proteas paceman, said his unit had lowered its colours, identifying Rabada, 27, as the major culprit.“KG [Rabada] wasn’t on song, if I can single him out, and in periods we didn’t bowl well as a unit. Partnerships is important for us, to get that consistency going, and it hasn’t been there in this game,” Langeveldt said.“I think for KG, he’s a wicket-taker. He always takes wickets, he’s got that ability to take wickets for us. The challenge always for him is to be able to control that.“I think [Pat] Cummins, when he started off he leaked a few runs, but then he got consistent and was aggressive. And I think that’s his [Rabada’s] challenge going forward, to make him a brilliant bowler. At the moment he is one of the leading wicket-takers in red-ball cricket, but going forward playing on flatter wickets, I think that’s going to be the challenge for him.”Langeveldt said that the issue was more one of execution than attitude.“Being a young bowling attack is not an excuse. “They’ve played a few Tests together, it’s just being able to control the run rate, that type of thing for longer periods. “But I think I was happy with the enthusiasm that the guys showed. I think they were brilliant.”
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