Spin legend Shane Warne has singled out Australia's bowlers as the key concern after their long reign as the world's best was all but ended by defeat to South Africa in Melbourne.
The Aussies crashed to a nine-wicket loss at the MCG yesterday to concede their first ever home series defeat since 1992/93.
The series defeat follows hot on the heels of their 2-0 loss in India, and defeat in the final Test of the series in Sydney next week would see them relinquish top spot in the ICC rankings to the Proteas for the first time.
It is an unthinkable scanerio for a team which not so long ago was untouchable with the likes of Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist leading the line.
And Warne was critical of the current crop of Aussie bowlers in his column in Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun, saying they lacked "imagination and flair".
Both of Australia's defeats in this series have come after they held strong positions, forfeiting their advanatage with an inability to bowl out the tourists.
In Perth they could manage just four wickets as the Proteas easily achieved the second-highest run-chase in Test cricket history, 414, while a 180-run partnership between second-gamer JP Duminy and number 10 Dale Steyn - who hit 76 despite owning a single-digit average - turned the momentum of the Melbourne Test irretrievably South Africa's way.
Warne explained: "After Australia's two losses to South Africa, I reckon our bowlers need to have more imagination and flair."
In his playing days, Warne owned arguably the greatest variation of deliveries world cricket has ever seen and he now believes the current bowlers must be creative.
He said: "They especially need this when tackling the tail and when the wickets are flat. I have concerns about Australia's ability to take 20 wickets.
"The bowlers can't just bowl line and length all day and hope batsmen lose patience, chase one and nick it to the wicketkeeper or slip.
"They need to be able to bowl a hostile spell, as Merv Hughes and Glenn McGrath did."
Warne, 39, admitted the Australians had been outplayed by South Africa in the series so far, but insists they can rediscover their past glories despite concerns the current team is in decline.
He said: "The Aussies have tried and given everything but have been outplayed in the big moments. That has been the difference.
"There is no disgrace in losing like in 2005 when England was the best team and deserved to win. It is the same this summer.
"South Africa deserved to win because it was the best side."