AUS vs SA: 4th Test, Preview- Hosts look to stretch dominance against wrecked Australia

The ongoing Test series between South Africa and Australia would mostly be remembered for the controversies, which sparked throughout the series. The standard of cricket has been stupendous, however, the ugly incidents have overshadowed them by a fair margin. The verdict surrounding the perpetrators of the ball-tampering debacle has been given.

However, there’s one more game to be played in the series, which starts on Friday at the iconic Wanderers in Johannesburg. South Africa has already taken an unassailable lead with their thumping victory over the Aussies at Cape Town. Meanwhile, they would be looking replicate their form and give Morne Morkel a jaw-dropping farewell with another thumping victory.

On the other hand, Australia would be missing Steve Smith and David Warner, two of their gun batsmen, who won’t feature for them in the next twelve months. Also, the Proteas would be going into the game with a positive frame, while the visitors would be entering the contest with a psychological scar, which is not expected to heal in a canter.

South Africa (Predicted XI)

Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel

Australia (Predicted XI)

Joe Burns, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine (capt & wk), Mitchell Starc, Patrick Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Team Combination

South Africa

South Africa, after a couple of dominating performances, won’t want to tinker with the lineup. Elgar and Markram are the likely openers with the experience of Hashim Amla at number three. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis will need to shoulder the mantle in the middle overs. Temba Bavuma returned from an injury layoff at Cape Town, however, he struggled to make an impact with the leather.

Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada are no mugs with the willow and will lend depth to the batting. Philander and Rabada are likely to share the new ball as well. Morne Morkel, after his thunderous show with the leather, would want to finish his career on an auspicious note. Keshav Maharaj’s role would also be crucial as the lone spinner.

Australia

Australia has some glaring changes for the upcoming Test or rather they had to. Joe Burns and Matthew Renshaw are expected to open for Australia. Usman Khawaja will be key in the middle-order. Also, the Marsh brothers- Shaun and Mitchell- will have to deliver in the middle-order. Peter Handscomb and skipper Tim Paine’s role will also determine Australia’s show with the willow.

No one from the bowling lineup has been banned, hence the best bowlers would be in the park for Australia. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have to make inroads into the Proteas lineup to push them on the back-foot. Patrick Cummins has also been excellent with the leather. Nathan Lyon, who snared 300 Test wickets earlier, also need to enact his role as the only spinner in the team.

Players to watch out for   

Morne Morkel (South Africa)

Morne Morkel would be playing his last international game and the spotlight would definitely be on him in Johannesburg. The Transvaal -born cricketer has dished out bowling masterclass at the Newlands, which ripped apart the visitors. The hosts would be banking on the tall and lanky fast bowler to deliver for them one final time in his illustrious career.

Usman Khawaja (Australia)

Usman Khawaja hasn’t had an overwhelming outing in the series thus far. Apart from his second-innings knock against the hosts at Port Elizabeth, he hasn’t been at his stupendous best. However, in David Warner and Steve Smith’s absence, the Islamabad-born cricketer has to step up in order for Australia to compete against the robust bunch of South African cricketers.

Head to Head

Overall

Played- 97, Australia- 52 South Africa- 25 Draw- 20

In South Africa

Played- 53, Australia- 29 South Africa- 15 Draw- 9

Broadcast Details

Local Time 10:30 GMT 08:00, IST 13:30

Match Timings

TV- SonyTEN

Online Streaming – SonyLIV

Stat Attack

Last time Australia played a Test match without both David Warner and Steven Smith in the playing XI was also against SA in the 2011 Johannesburg Test.