Verreynne insists Proteas' are still trying their best to remedy batting ills

Proteas wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne said they're trying their best to address every batting scenario they face as South Africa again finds themselves on the back foot in a Test due to their batting.

South Africa were bowled out for 189 on the first day of the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, with the hosts whittling away to end on 45-1 by the end of play.

The Proteas had two terrible collapses four wickets for 11 runs and then five wickets for 10 runs - that were shielded by a 112-run stand between Verreynne (52) and Marco Jansen (59).

SCORECARD | Proteas v Australia, 2nd Test, Day 1

The first-day dismissal meant the Proteas were skittled for less than 200 for the seventh-consecutive innings since the second Test at Old Trafford against England.

Verreynne said they were doing their best to avoid their now-consistent batting issue but added the only way for them to get out of the funk was by scoring runs.

"We're trying to address every scenario that we could face," Verreynne said.

"You also have to give credit to their bowlers because we had quite a big partnership that put them under pressure, but they stuck at it.

"When you lose both the batters that are in, it plays into the hands of the fielding team. You can prep as much as you can, but when you're in those situations, it becomes difficult.

"The conversions are based on the top six and making sure we have the runs on the board. We can't really be looking at the lower order and the bowlers and ask questions of them."

READ | Verreynne bemoans Proteas' slack batting in 'better' conditions: 'It's hard to accept'

David Warner, playing in his 100th Test and seeking redemption after a poor period of batting form of his own, marched to an