English media has field day over Hobart humiliation

If Australia's loss to South Africa wasn’t embarrassing enough, the English media have jumped aboard the humiliation train to slam the side after one of their worst performances in Test history.

The Brits enjoyed watching the disastrous second Test come to a premature end with high hopes for the 2017-2018 Ashes series.

Scyld Berry, cricket correspondent for The Telegraph, said he believes now is the time for the England side to prepare for a takeover.

He also blamed the decline of the Sheffield Shield for the downfall of the Australian team.

“The traditional strength of Australian cricket has lain in their six Sheffield Shield states trying to knock seven bells out of each other so that the cream rises to the top. Now it is just curdled, semi-skimmed milk,” Berry wrote.

“The centre — Cricket Australia — has taken away the autonomy of the states, robbing them of their individuality, standardising their pitches, and preaching one-size-fits-all coaching techniques.

“Several members of Australia’s Hobart side — notably Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie — might not have even got into their state team on a regular basis a generation ago, let alone the national side.”

John Etheridge from The Sun detailed in his column that he had figured out the problem with the Australian athletes.

“Ah, so there are only three things wrong with Australian batsmen — they can’t play seam, swing or spin!” Etheridge wrote.

“Don’t forget South Africa are without their best and most famous batsman and bowler — AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn.

“Australia survived for just 558 balls across two innings. The last time they batted for so few deliveries was in the legendary Don Bradman’s debut match in 1928.”

British journalist Piers Morgan took to Twitter to make a mockery of the dismal performance, writing: “Dear @CricketAus, if you want to postpone the Ashes next year we poms completely understand.”

Even Aussie comedian Dave Hughes threw in his two cents worth, commenting on the dedication of some of the players.

“Aussie cricketers should be made to swim back to mainland if want to be picked for Adelaide Test [sic]. Need to find out who’s committed,” he wrote.

Coach Darren Lehmann put more than half of Australia's Test XI on notice on Tuesday following the series defeat, guaranteeing there will be changes for next week's day-night Test in Adelaide.