AUSTRALIA suffered a devastating collapse in Port Elizabeth, a stark reminder that the batting nightmares on ‘English type’ wickets haven’t gone away.

Steve Smith’s side have made major inroads in the past few months with not losing wickets in clumps, but there was a momentary return to past nightmares as Australia collapsed from 0-98 to lose 8-84.

Usman Khawaja is a man under pressure with the Australian No. 3 having his record overseas (averaging just 24.5 from 13 Tests) exposed.

South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada was the architect and took a blistering five-wicket haul which came in the space of an unplayable three-over burst.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine saved Australia’s blushes with a fighting 36 which lifted a disastrous sub-200 score to a more respectable — but still underwhelming total of 243.

Australia are now relying on the Port Elizabeth pitch to continue to play up, with South Africa setting themselves to seize the advantage on day two when they resume on 1-39.

David Warner responded to his week from hell like a man on a mission, but the vice-captain got a peach of a delivery from Proteas rookie Lungi Ngidi and had to go for 63.

Warner lamented that the PE pitch was a replica of English conditions, and it seems Australia haven’t mastered the art of excelling on wickets where the ball seams and swings — a timely wake-up call ahead of the 2019 Ashes in the UK.

“Yeah, look it seemed to me to be very much like England where if you get through the tough periods with the new ball you can try and cash in a little bit after,” said Warner.

“I felt like it was a good wicket and if they got it into the right areas they were going to challenge us.

“But coming from 0-98 to be all out for 240-odd, is quite disappointing. But if we can get the balls in the right area tomorrow we can challenge those nicking areas.

“It was one of those English wickets where it does just a bit. It was doing too much early. And that’s where the nicks come into play and bowled and lbw come into play.

“The way he (Paine) played with his intent was fantastic. So we will come back tomorrow and put the ball in the right areas.”

Tough Tasmanian Paine combined with No. 10 Nathan Lyon and No. 11 Josh Hazlewood for successive 30-run stands which may prove crucial if Australia’s bowlers can fire back on day two.

But Australia’s collapsing batting was still well below par after Rabada run riot with five wickets and new star Ngidi also cut loose.

Pat Cummins struck an early blow for Australia by removing Aiden Markram lbw, but the visitors will have to move fast on day two.

After putting on 98 for the first wicket, the Australians fell in a heap to lose 7-72.

They must rely on the wicket not improving for batting.

“I’m not sure the conditions are going to get easier. I think it’s that type of wicket that for the remainder of the game it’s going to be challenging and I feel like it’s that type of wicket that you actually probably never feel like you’re in,” said Lyon.

“We’ve still got the best bowling attack in the world in the Australian change room and we’re feeling confident enough if we can come out and bowl well in partnerships and challenge the South African’s defence, hopefully we can create nine chances.”

Mitchell Marsh had a gastro bug and struggled.

In a flash Smith and Shaun Marsh were trapped lbw by Rabada — and burnt reviews — before Mitchell Marsh nicked off to the raging big-man.

Under-siege Warner’s reputation took a hit in the wake of his stairwell bust-up with Quinton de Kock in the first Test in Durban, but in Port Elizabeth he dug in for an innings that only enhanced his standing as one of the world’s most fearless cricketers.

“Davey’s world class with the way he prepares, we all know that,” said Lyon.

“Especially over the last few years he’s obviously matured a lot and he’s a world-class batter, an x-factor. There’s been nothing different in his preparation.

“There’s been a little bit of spotlight on him but he’s been world class, training the house down — batting and field.”

While Warner and the Australian side have been dealing with wider issues of on-field behaviour, No. 3 Khawaja is under growing pressure to prove he is a man for all seasons.

Khawaja is now averaging just 24.5 from 13 Test matches away from home and with a tour of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates coming up later this year, time is running out for the Queenslander to lock down his position by firing in South Africa.