Player ratings: Labuschagne, Cummins under fire in Cape Town
Mitchell Starc - Bowled with hostility and skill in both innings, highlighted by a magnificent spell with the second new ball to bowl out South Africa on the first evening. Ended the game with a calf issue that underlined how much he had given this match and series. Has a month to recover before the Perth Test against New Zealand in early December.
Starc speaks with Cummins on day four.AP Photo/Halden KrogJosh Inglis - Made a bold claim to keep a regular spot in the batting order with his second century in six Tests, both made overseas. Was agile and alert in the field, and was unfortunate to be run out when called through for a too-tight single by Green on the final day when Australia desperately needed a partnership.
Matt Renshaw - Sturdy first innings contribution made it a very good tour overall, in particular a partnership with Cam Green that provided a window into the Test team's future. Was crestfallen to be caught down the leg side first ball on the final morning, when his combination of defence and attack would have been vital to the chase.
Alex Carey - A composed first innings of 80 opposite Inglis demonstrated Careyβs value, and he was tidy as ever behind the stumps. But loses marks for a poor second innings dismissal, reverse-sweeping at Harmer as the rush of wickets mounted. Did not have enough impact on the series overall.
Carey batting on day three.AP Photo/Halden KrogCameron Green - A useful first innings and then fought harder than most in the second. The concern for Australia ahead of next year's India tour was how he looked all at sea against Harmer, to the point that Starc and Cummins tried to keep him away from the off spinner. Harmer was then switched around to the other end and got Green immediately.
Cooper Connolly - Bowled serviceably to claim his first Test wicket and also batted with composure in the first innings to take Australia's lead to three figures. Quickly disposed of by Harmer on the final day but merits further opportunities.
Nathan Lyon - Came back into the team and bowled some excellent spells in each innings, twice getting past Temba Bavuma. Would have been disappointed not to play a more central wicket-taking role on day four when he had good conditions to work with. Will be a Test-by-Test selection proposition at home this summer.
Lyon bats on day three of the third Test.Getty ImagesJosh Hazlewood - Some decent spells in each innings without having the impact of Durban. Will be under some sort of spotlight for his place given Scott Boland's performance in Gqeberha, but it is also a good sign for Australia that he has gotten through five Tests against Bangladesh and South Africa without injury.
Travis Head - A couple of starts but not the big score that could have helped define the series. Was beaten comprehensively by a fired-up Rabada on the final morning and left South Africa after not having had the desired impact on the series from the top of the order.
Pat Cummins - Two poor games in a row for the captain, who broke his wicket drought and hung around with the bat in the second innings but otherwise struggled to bend the match his way. The decision to bowl first will be a point of debate for a long time, while his inability to make the most of having South Africa effectively 4-40 in their second innings will grate.
Marnus Labuschagne - Given one more chance by the selectors and did not make anything like the most of it, with a nervy duck in the first innings and then lbw shouldering arms in the second. Showed plenty of energy and commitment in the field, engineering a run out, but a top-order batsman needs to do more than that to hold his place. Cannot be chosen for Perth.
Marnus Labuschagne walks off after being dismissed in Cape Town on day two.Getty ImagesNews, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
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