SA vs AUS, 1st Test, Preview: Australia hoping to continue their dominance in the battle of pace

South Africa will be hoping to turn around their fortunes.

Published - 28 Feb 2018, 12:39 IST | Updated - 28 Feb 2018, 12:39 IST

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South Africa‘s home season continues to get sterner with Australia set to lock horns against them in the four-match Test series. The battle is surely going to be between the pace batteries of both the teams as they can make the difference on any sort of wickets across the world. A lot has changed regarding the cricket in South Africa ever since their series win over India and they are under the pump once again to overcome the even tougher challenge of the team from down under.

Proteas were superior against India in the first couple of Test matches but the tables were turned on them by the spirited visitors in the final game which was in the news for all the wrong reasons. They surely wouldn’t want to offer such kind of pitches to Australia. Their bowlers would literally blow them away in that case. However, it is very important for South Africa to start this series well given what all has recently happened in the limited overs leg against India.

It is crucial for their dented confidence as well and its time that their seniors step up to the plate and contribute big time against the in-form Aussies. It is also the farewell series for Morne Morkel which has added some emotions to what is expected to be a fierce contest between the two countries.

Australia, on the other hand, are coming off a high after winning the T20I tri-series across Tasman but only David Warner featured in that series. Even they’ve arrived in the rainbow nation on the back of a shocking series loss to England in ODIs. Though it matters very little when the cricketer like Steve Smith dons the whites given the way he is batting currently in the longest format of the game. It was vintage Australia in the Ashes and expect nothing less during the four matches against the struggling Proteas.

There is a possibility that South Africa might offer slow pitches to their opponents this time around. Aussies are not known to play well against spin and relish the pace in the wicket. It would be interesting to see the way the teams approach the opening game of the series which will certainly set the tone for the upcoming matches.

Team Combination

South Africa

The key injured players Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers are back in the squad for the Proteas which will be a huge relief for them. Their openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram have to hit form as one of the strongest middle-order follow them. The likes of Hashim Amla, de Villiers and du Plessis have to do the job with the bat. Though there is no Dale Steyn in the bowling line-up, he was barely missed as Lungi Ngidi announced his arrival at the highest level and supported Vernon Philander and Kagis Rabada nicely.

Keshav Maharaj is having a great record against Australia and would love to keep the lid on them in this series as well. Quinton de Kock is having a torrid time and he will be under immense pressure with Heinrich Klaasen present in the squad as the backup wicketkeeper who also impressed in the limited overs series against India. Morne Morkel will be itching to start off his farewell Test series in style.

Probable XI: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Lungisani Ngidi

Australia

Australia are expected to play the same side which thumped England in the fifth and final Test match in the Ashes. Warner and Cameron Bancroft will open the batting with Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh to follow. Mitchell Marsh has rejuvenated his career recently and will continue to slot in at much-debated number 6. The deadly bowling attack comprises of Pat Cummins, the ever so accurate Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. nathan Lyon walks into the team as he is one of the best spinners in the world currently.

Unless the pitch is alarmingly slow, Jon Holland is likely to warm the bench along with Chadd Sayers, Jhye Richardson and Peter Handscomb.

Probable XI: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Head to Head

Played – 94 Australia – 51 South Africa – 23 Draw – 20

Focus will be on

AB de Villers (South Africa)

AB de Villiers was the man who changed the course of the first couple of matches against India and the onus will be once again on him. The top-order is not in the great form they used to be and the team will expect a big knock from their gun player. De Villiers has the ability to turn the game on its head with his counter-attacking approach. However, he is also returning from injury and will have to be careful about the same. The hosts can’t afford to lose their best player for this important series.

Steve Smith (Australia)

Undoubtedly, all the eyes will be on Australian skipper Steve Smith. He is in sublime form with the bat in Tests and the visitors will hope that he continues in the same vein at the Kingsmead in Durban. Smith loves to bat time which he perfectly did in the Ashes and just demoralised the opposition. It would be interesting if South African bowlers will be able to find a way past him in what will be an intriguing battle. Also, a lot will depend on Smith’s performance as Australia is not used to seeing him fail while batting at a crucial position at 4.