Australia finally found out in Perth what happens when the Michael Clarke safety-net breaks.
A batting collapse on day two of the third Test against South Africa at the WACA shone the spotlight on the lack of stability in the Australian top-order.
Australia were all out for 163 and trail South Africa by 62 runs on the first innings.
Up to this point, the in-form skipper had come to the crease this series with Australia in trouble, only to set the ship straight.
Clarke had then been joined by Mike Hussey and together the pair routinely smashed Australia into the advantage.
However, in the first innings in Perth, South Africa sent the dynamic duo packing for a total of 17 runs.
Clarke made 5 and Hussey 12, leaving Australia reeling at 7-100.
Openers Ed Cowan and David Warner took it in turns to make hundreds in Brisbane and Adelaide, but otherwise Australia’s top three have left the middle order exposed far too easily.
Rob Quiney failed at No.3 in his only two Tests at the Gabba and Adelaide and his replacement Shane Watson made just 10 at the WACA.
Retiring great Ricky Ponting has made just 24 runs in four innings this summer and Australia must now find a reliable new No.4.
Clarke and Hussey have been in special form this summer, but Saturday proved that even the superstars of the team can’t be relied upon every single time.
So far this series, Clarke batting at No.5, has always come in with less than 100 on the board.
In Brisbane, he made 259 not out after coming in at 3-40.
In the first innings in Adelaide he came in at 3-55 and made 230.
The second innings he arrived at 3-91, and despite only making 38 – it was all that was really required with Australia already in possession of a big lead.
At the WACA, Clarke was in at 4-35, after Nathan Lyon had come in earlier as a nightwatchman.
Australia needed their saviour again but Dale Steyn put paid to that quickly.
Hussey, who has himself made two hundreds this series, hung around for a 55-run stand with Matt Wade (68), but not even Mr Cricket can be the hero every time he walks to the crease.
In the 17 Test innings since last year’s summer began, Clarke has only come to the crease with the score 100 or better on six occasions.
It’s a far cry from the golden period of Australian cricket when top order players like Matt Hayden, Justin Langer and Ponting protected the middle order from the new ball more often than not.