What would Sir David Attenborough think? Applying the conservation status scale to Australia's Test cricketers after their catastrophic defeat in Hobart at the hands of a rampant and suddenly time-rich South Africa.
David Warner
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Smith embarrassed and humiliated
Australia captain Steve Smith has demanded his players have more pride in playing for Australia and their baggy green after a heavy defeat to South Africa.
Scores of 97 and 35 in Perth, followed by one and 45 in Hobart. Outside of the captain, Warner remains one of the first-picked for the baggy green and despite going cheaply in the first innings in Tasmania, had no luck in the second as he was bowled off his elbow. A huge score in Adelaide wouldn't go astray as his team tries to avoid the broom. Status Least Concern
Shaun Marsh
Was a good foil to Warner in Perth, compiling 63 and a more-modest 15 before a broken finger ruled him out of action in Hobart, where he had tasted success in the past. Marsh has had a horror run of misfortune but might have dodged the mother of all bullets by being in the casualty ward. Status Data Deficient
Joe Burns
The Queenslander had a point to prove in Tasmania after Marsh was preferred on his home track of Perth for the opener. Suffice to say, he didn't go to the rim like LeBron and dunk on South Africa's collective face. One and a third-ball duck has put his Test future in serious doubt. Status Endangered
Usman Khawaja
​A rare highlight in what has largely been a cricket version of the lizard running away from the snakes, although in this version the snakes capture the lizard and devour it alive in horrific scenes. Returns of four and 97 in Perth, then four and 64 in Tasmania. Aside from a penchant for scoring four in the first innings of Tests, Khawaja is one of the few to walk out of this mess with some pride and potential longevity. Status Least Concern
Steve Smith
Captain courageous: Steve Smith. Photo: Robert Cianflone
Dipped out in Perth but was almost a lone hand at times in Hobart. Has been criticised for his captaincy and leadership at times but felt this deeply and showed how to get the job done in the first dig, at least, with a fighting 48 in the 85-run total. Even so, he's presided over a run of five defeats and the good grace will eventually run out. Only Kim Hughes and Michael Clarke have been at the helm for similar stretches of mediocrity. Status Least Concern
Adam Voges
On the outer: Adam Voges. Photo: Getty Images
The 37-year-old was a late bloomer and has almost certainly played his final Test. His lacklustre non-shot in the second innings was symptomatic of another Australian collapse as he let the ball glide off the bat and straight to slips. Voges feasted on the West Indies and New Zealand last summer but has struggled badly against better-quality teams such as England and the Proteas. Status Critically Endangered
Mitchell Marsh
Despite a selection panel that so desperately want him to succeed, Marsh was mostly a non-factor in Perth with bat and ball and paid the price, being dropped for the Hobart Test in favour of specialist bat Callum Ferguson. Now has just two 50s in 19 Tests and a bowling record of 29 wickets at 37. Status Critically Endangered
Callum Ferguson
Finally made his Test debut at age 31, although he could end up in the one-Test wonder basket, assuming Cricket Australia can find anyone better to fill his spot. He was run-out for three in the first innings then fell victim to Kagiso Rabada for one in the second. If selectors go rogue and consider picking players on the good side of 30, he's likely to make way. Status Critically Endangered
Peter Nevill
Dejected look: Peter Nevill walks off after being dismissed. Photo: Ryan Pierse - CA
Time is fast running out for the NSW gloveman to prove he belongs at Test level. He made 23 and a not-out 60 in the loss in Perth before being part of the carnage in Hobart with scores of three and six when the occasion demanded stiff resistance. At 31, he's not a spring chicken either. Status Endangered
Mitchell Starc
​There were thoughts Starc was underdone ahead of this series and it may be on the money, with the tall left-hander having just one Shield game in a tune-up from a leg injury. Took 4-71 and 1-114 in Perth, then 3-79 in Hobart. Not horrid yet not anywhere near the destructive power of his South African rivals. Still, he's the best we have. Status Least Concern
Peter Siddle
​Took 1-36 and 2-62 in Perth before a back injury forced him out in Hobart, where he probably would have played if not for the flare-up. Was a model of consistency in the West but didn't really have the penetration to suggest he's there for the long haul. Status Vulnerable
Josh Hazlewood
Finding his rhythm: Josh Hazlewood leaves the ground after taking six wickets. Photo: Getty Images
Perth yielded 3-70 and 2-107 while the big New South Welshman was easily the pick of the quicks in Hobart, finishing with 6-89 in his only chance with the ball. Looks more and more the outright leader of the attack but can't do all the heavy lifting on his own. In saying that, like all of the Australians, he was thoroughly out-bowled in local conditions. Status Least Concern
Nathan Lyon
Something isn't working for the usually reliable off-spinner. His Perth returns were 2-38 and 0-146, before a spell of 0-57 in Hobart. Not only have the wickets dried up badly, so have the lower-order runs, with Lyon getting zero and eight in the first Test and two and four in the second. Has been a good "servant", as they say, but might have served up too much fruit to be there for much longer. Status Endangered
Joe Mennie
​Why play the experienced Jackson Bird on his home track when you could stick to the constrictive selection rules and throw Joe Mennie in the deep end? Mennie has been a quality Shield player but was an unknown quantity to many Australian fans. He took 1-85 and made 10 and a duck with the bat. Will he get another go? Status Critically Endangered
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