Seamer Scott Boland's nightwatchman heroics and an uncharacteristically reserved Travis Head century weren't enough to save Australia from an innings defeat to South Africa on Thursday.
Australia's loss will undoubtedly see changes for the third Test in Cape Town, starting on Tuesday, with their batting frailties once again coming home to roost on the final day in Gqeberha.
Starting the fifth day at 4/156, Boland and Head batted for more than 20 overs together as they attempted the ultimately futile task of saving the Test match.
Even after Head departed for 121 — his second Test ton away from Australian shores — Boland stayed on, unfurling several enigmatic shots, including a glorious straight drive and a lift over the cordon, before eventually falling for 40 — his highest Test score.
He faced 166 balls overall, earning the praise of his captain.
"I couldn't love that bloke any more; he's such a champion," Cummins told reporters after the match.
Australia were eventually bowled out in the fading light for 295, having been dismissed twice in 149.4 overs across two days to lose by an innings and 31 runs.
Selectors are set to have numerous headaches, some of them more enjoyable than others, with Boland's 5/81 in South Africa's innings a bright spot which will be tough to ignore.
The burly quick is one problem Australia are lucky to have. The 37-year-old seamer — the antithesis of the snarly Australian quick from yesteryear — has remarkable career statistics: 87 wickets at an average of 18.44 from 20 matches.
After his third five-wicket haul of his career, he told reporters during the match that his game plan is "pretty simple".
"Put the pressure on the batter as much as I can. Get as many repeat balls in a good area, making them make tough decisions," Boland said.
"That's pretty much my job in the team."
Since the end of the 19th century, only Vernon Philander, who is currently commenting on the series, had a better average at that stage of his career.
Almost five years on from his famous 'build him a statue' debut on Boxing Day, the Gulidjan seamer has played only 20 of a possible 50 Tests, with the 'big three' of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood having kept him out.
"I want to play every game that I can," Boland told reporters after day 2.
"We've got so many tests over the next 12 months that I knew I was gonna play a part somewhere.
"I just wanna be ready for whenever I'm needed.
"Obviously I wanna play every test but I probably know that is not 100 per cent realistic."
Whilst Australia left Nathan Lyon out of the side in Gqeberha, if he returns in Cape Town, one of the four quicks will likely have to make way.
"I don't think he can do much more," Cummins said of Boland, who is Australia's oldest specialist Test seamer in more than half a century.
"Five-fer, pick of the bowls. How gritty he was with his batting innings. He even put his hand up on day three to go in nightwatchman after he'd just bowled 20 overs.
"We'll get to Cape Town, we'll have a look see how everyone pulls up - but he had a fantastic week."
