SA 140/4, leading by 40 runs heading into the fourth day

In his 31st Test innings David Bedingham was dismissed in the same way as he was in his 30th.

In both innings, there was no need to do what he did. It will lead to a question about Bedingham’s future in the South African Test team.

He started his Test career in Shukri Conrad’s third match in charge against India in December 2023. Like with the bulk of the South African batting unit, Conrad’s known Bedingham, since his days as a cheeky and extremely talented teenager, who tore up the run-scoring records for Wynberg Boys High.

A windgat 22 year old who started his professional career in the same manner he’d ended his school one, a car crash in 2016, changed his perspective on life and cricket. He spent a year in rehab for a fractured leg, hands and jaw, and while learning to walk again also completed his BComm.

Runs flowed for Western Province and Durham upon his return - and he was close to representing England at one stage, until the Kolpak rules changed.

It was no surprise that Conrad picked him for the Test team. The 56 he made on debut against an Indian attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Ravi Ashwin, was packed with typically elegant Bedingham strokeplay. On commentary, Ravi Shastri drew comparisons with Mark Waugh. It was a taste of what Bedingham had to offer at the highest level.

Conrad spoke after that Test of wanting South Africans to not only salivate about the rich talent in the opposition ranks, but also that which existed in the Proteas.

The problem for Bedingham is that the bulk of his 18-Test career has been a taste. The full buffet is still locked up in the kitchen somewhere.

He’s past 50 six times, but only once made a hundred. He’s been dismissed 16 times for scores between 10 and 49.

He cut a desperately disconsolate figure, slumped almost all the way down in his chair in the back row of the home team’s viewing room on Thursday, rubbing his hands through his head. His pain was palpable.

Getting out caught on the deep backward square leg boundary twice in the same game, with the opposition plan obvious, provides strong reasons for the selectors to drop him for the rest of the summer.

But there is a weird context in which this Proteas batting line-up currently exists which would also justify them keeping Bedingham in the squad.

There are simply too many moving parts at the moment. A fourth new opening partner for Aiden Markram, is being trialled. Bedingham is the sixth different batter to slot in at no.3 since Conrad took over as coach. Matthew Breetzke is playing his fourth Test and there’s a new wicketkeeper/batter.

Conrad doesn’t want to use it as an excuse, but it is difficult to build a batting unit given SA’s sporadic Test schedule. How do they create consistency and give players a sense of comfort when every error will be highlighted?

And then there is the match situation and the high pressure demands of the series between the top two teams in the world. “I mean this in the most respectful manner possible, pressure is a funny thing and I think sometimes it is easy to sit on the balcony or in the stands and pass judgement on somebody’s innings or how they get out or how they play a shot,” said Simon Harmer.

“But there’s a lot going through your head when you’re waiting to face a bowler and sometimes you make the incorrect decision at the wrong moment. And I’m pretty sure that the players that feel that those shots weren’t good enough will be the first people to put their hands up. I think everybody sitting in that dressing room wants to contribute, wants to win the game for the team and are despondent when they get out.”

It’s a feeling to which Marnus Labuschagne in the opposition ranks can attest, given his extended run of poor form.

Markram and Temba Bavuma, also fell to shots they’d love to forget - Markram, an unconvincing drive, a shot he usually plays well, but which he lifted to mid-off - and Temba Bavuma, trying to whip Nathan Lyon across the line, out of the rough, five minutes before stumps and getting bowled.

It was a dreadful error by the captain and his face froze with disappointment. “I don’t think anybody is going to be as shattered as Temba about getting out. But again, it’s the situation,” said Harmer. “You don’t want to go back into your shell right at the end of the day. You’ve played a certain way, and that’s cricket. It happens.”

Bavuma’s wicket means Australia still holds the advantage. SA’s lead is only 40 runs and they have just six second innings wickets in hand. Those who can no longer contribute with the bat, will try to assuage their anguish overnight. Friday brings an opportunity for others to reignite the flame of hope.