Given South Africa’s prized position in the batting order thanks to Durham’s strong domestic form in the County Championship and two hundreds for Western Province in September, that score of 11 follows contributions of 49, 46 and 50 in his other four innings.
He entered but did not make a winning contribution.
Batting in the key first drop position, some would say is more infuriating than not coming in at all.
His dismissal, again as in the first innings, came shortly after he was hit by a bouncer, Starc having punched one in his chest on that occasion.
When, after opening with two balls of good length, Hazlewood went short again, Bedingham’s eyes lit up.
Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and co should have taken note. It was the fifth time he had been dismissed in his 18 Tests.
On average, he plays this shot once in every 13 deliveries.
“He never seems in the right position to play the pull shot or the hook,” said former South Africa captain Graeme Smith. “He is always unbalanced. He is never in a position of strength.
“You think about the best shooters in the game, they have a solid foundation. He does one-legged spins.
“(South African great) Hashim Amla just blocked the shot during a phase.
“That’s what a player like Bedingham has to think about.”
Gn sports
