Perth: Nathan Lyon was left to mull over his worst figures in his Test career, highlighting another terrible day for the Australians in the series opener against South Africa at the WACA.
Lyon may be Australia's most successful off-spinner but his 0-146 off 34 overs typified Australia's woes on day four, compounded by the quick loss of David Warner and Shaun Marsh in pursuit of what would be a world record 539 to win.
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Late wickets leave Australia needing miracle
Australia's chances of survival in the first Test hang by a thread, needing 370 runs to win on the final day, after the Proteas declared at 8/540 and claimed four wickets.
By stumps, skipper Steve Smith and Adam Voges had also had their afternoons terminated, leaving the hosts at 4-169 - and fighting for survival.
Australia's hopes on Monday will largely rest with Usman Khawaja, unbeaten on 58 but dropped on 41 by Hashim Amla at slip, and Mitch Marsh, unbeaten on 14.
Voges endured a modest tour of Sri Lanka and, having failed to capitalise in the first innings here (27), will be batting for his Test future when the series shifts to Hobart.
Lyon was at the centre of public debate on Saturday when he was overlooked by skipper Steve Smith in the crucial morning session. South African great Barry Richards and former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody had questioned Smith's tactics, while former skipper Michael Clarke took to social media to call for Lyon's introduction after lunch.
Shane Warne also joined in the debate, declaring on Channel Nine on Sunday: "That was a bit weird Nathan Lyon didn't bowl one over [before lunch]. He bowled 12 overs on a 37-degree day and the quicks bowled their hearts out.
"Australia got it wrong ... it's bad captaincy because you're trying to get the best out of players."
Smith's decision could have been seen as a vote of faltering confidence in Lyon, who had taken two wickes in the first innings but had not delivered the results as hoped on the winter tour of Sri Lanka. But Smith said after play on Saturday the 58-Test veteran with more than 200 Test wickets had not been used because the ball was reverse swinging at the time.
A day later, Lyon was left to lament his wicketless performance, with even Proteas tailender Keshav Maharaj taking to him with glee on a day when the cracks in the Perth wicket continued to open. Lyon's previous worst figures had been 0-128 against the Proteas in Perth four years ago.
Lyon is nicknamed GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) by teammates because he has the most wickets of any Australian finger spinner (213).
Frontline quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also failed to have the impact they had craved, but all-rounder Mitch Marsh highlighted his importance with a steady performance, claiming two wickets.
Warner was seen as the key to Australia's hopes of scoring an improbable victory but he was dismissed by a brilliant piece of fielding by Temba Bavuma. After Warner had bunted the ball forward, Bavuma dashed in from point to scoop up the ball and, while diving forward, threw down the stumps as the Australian tried to complete a single.
It was something fellow South African Jonty Rhodes, known more for his fielding than batting, would have been proud of. Replays showed Warner's bat was on the line – but had not crossed it.
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis had to juggle his frontline quicks Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada in the wake of Dale Steyn's absence through injury and was delighted to have tasted early success.
There was more joy for the tourists four balls later when Marsh edged Rabada to du Plessis at second slip.
Before the Australians had begun their second innings, former Australian batsman Dean Jones said the dethroned world champions had been given the chance to show how good they really were.
"It's a really good examination. We will find out how many times they have to miss out before the riot act is read to them," Jones said.
"We are going to find out ... how good some of them are."
The early loss of wickets left Australia fighting to avoid their first loss in a home summer opener since 1988 against the West Indies.