Cummins concerns and weaknesses to target - takeaways from SA-Australia

South Africa's triumphant 3rd Test victory against Australia highlights several key takeaways for England's upcoming tour. Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, has faced his worst series in years, with a poor bowling average and limited contributions to the win. His age and the aging nature of Australia's bowling attack suggest potential weaknesses for England to exploit.

Simon Harmer, an off-spinner, shone in Cape Town, taking 10-120 and helping secure the series win for South Africa. England's lack of a frontline spinner has been a concern, and they may need to look to options like Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach, Mason Crane, or debutant Liam Patterson-White. South Africa's batting order also appears vulnerable against spin, with Temba Bavuma averaging poorly against off-spinners.

The importance of lower-order stability and longevity was evident in Australia's ability to score significant runs in the final overs of the Test. England's lower order must find ways to delay their collapse, as the third Test demonstrated the impact of a strong lower order in prolonging innings and creating challenges for bowlers.

England's next Test against Australia in Melbourne on the 150th anniversary of the rivalry on March could provide an opportunity to address these concerns and build on the lessons learned from their recent series.