SA vs AUS, 3rd Test, Preview: Full-strength sides resume rivalry with focus back on cricket

The momentum is with the hosts following their series-levelling victory in Port Elizabeth

Published - 21 Mar 2018, 15:04 IST | Updated - 21 Mar 2018, 15:04 IST

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Kagiso Rabada and teammates of South Africa celebrate the wicket of David Warner

South Africa and Australia are set to face off once again in the third match of the four-match Test series at Newlands in Cape Town. A lot has happened so far on and off the field with the players being involved in ugly altercations and ICC handing over the demerit points for their behaviour in the middle. The home side, however, would be riding high after Kagiso Rabada’s suspension was overturned. However, both the teams would be keen to take the unassailable lead with a stunning performance over the next five days in a heated contest.

South Africa would’ve loved to play the third Test match right away after winning the second game stunningly courtesy Rabada’s heroics with the ball. Nevertheless, the long break has helped them given their premier bowler will be available to play the match. The selectors have strengthened their bowling resources by including Chris Morris and Duanne Olivier for the last couple of games. The hosts would love to carry the momentum they gained in the last match and stem the winning run of Australia in the rainbow nation.

Australia, on the other hand, will be itching to go out and play some aggressive brand of cricket after losing the second Test match. They squandered the lead and it will be interesting to see their response to the defeat. Steve Smith has to lead from the front who has blown hot and cold in the four innings so far. Though the team management will be more happy about the fact that their first choice players are fit for the game which will potentially decide the fate of the series.

Team Combination

South Africa

South Africa is unlikely to change the winning combination which did so well in Port Elizabeth. Though Morris and Olivier have been added to the squad, they would have to warm the bench given that Morne Morkel, playing his last was also left out of the playing XI. However, Temba Bavuma, if fit, can come back into the contention right away in place of Theunis de Bruyn in the middle order for the home side. The rest of the batting line-up selects itself with AB de Villiers leading the way for them.

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

Australia

Australia were seen sweating over the fitness of their pace spearhead Mitchell Starc over the last few days. But he has been deemed fit to play the third Test which is a major boost for them. Much like their opponents, even the visitors are not expected to tweak their playing XI for this game barring last minute injuries. The workload of the fast bowlers has been immense but the team management would not want to rest them as of now. The batsmen, however, should perform to give them any chance with the ball in hand.

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

Head to Head

Played – 96 Australia – 52 South Africa – 24 Draw – 20

Focus will be on

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

It goes without saying that all eyes would be on Rabada when he will step out on the field in Cape Town on Thursday. Moreover, he will have to control his aggression after picking up a wicket and subsequently should also take care that he continues in the same vein and scalp key wickets of the opposition. The youngster would be aware of all the consequences now and would solely want to concentrate on his bowling in this Test. His performance with the ball would most probably determine the fate of this game.

Steve Smith (Australia)

Who would’ve thought Steve Smith will struggle in South Africa after a stellar home season in the Ashes? He has scored only 130 runs in four outings with only a solitary half-century which shows that the hosts have found a way to keep a lid on his run-scoring. The skipper though is hugely talented and should be soon scoring runs in abundance in the remainder of the series. Much will depend on how he bats as the Australian team looks entirely different if their captain stays in the middle.