DURBAN, February (ANA) – Having kicked off their home season with a high-stakes series against top-ranked India, South Africa have another big competition coming up against Steve Smith’s Australia.
The first of the four Tests begins at Kingsmead, Durban, on Thursday, and there can be no let up in intensity for the hosts.
If the No 1 spot on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings had been riding on the India series, here they will be fighting to retain the No 2 ranking by avoiding a 3-0 or 4-0 loss.
Besides, South Africa, for all their success away, have never beaten Australia at home in a series, and it is a statistic they desperately want to change.
Both teams are high on confidence in the format and given that both have storied fast bowlers, it could get fiery.
South Africa came out 2-1 winners after a tight tussle with India, with their pace attack, even without the injured Dale Steyn, using pace and bounce and seam movement to spectacular effect. They will hope recent reverses in the limited-overs games will not be carried over into the Tests, and will be glad for the return from injuries of Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock.
Australia, meanwhile, have enjoyed a period of rest after the Ashes against England, which they dominated 4-0. During that series, the pitches didn’t offer much for the quicks; their fast bowlers have since thrived in the movement on offer in the one tour game they played against South Africa A.
The last time the teams squared up in red-ball cricket was in 2016 in the Australian summer when du Plessis’ men left some scars with a 2-1 win.
As the home side’s Dean Elgar said, “There is a lot of pride at stake, but in saying that there is a lot of respect between the two teams.”
Australia's David Warner will be one player to watch. Unlike several members of the team who had a break after their long series against England, David Warner has been kept busy.
The powerful left-handed opener guided a new-look Australian Twenty20 International side to the title in the tri-series also featuring New Zealand and England, and came in for much praise for his captaincy. He was late to join the team in South Africa, but is up and ready to go. He was Player of the Series the last time his side were here, and will be keen for a repeat of his run-scoring ways.
South Africa's Aiden Markram will be under the spotlight. After a stellar start to his Test career, which included two hundreds in three matches, the young opening batsman had a tough time against India.
He managed a 94, but struggled afterwards, especially with the added responsibility of captaincy in the one-dayers when du Plessis was out injured. Ottis Gibson, the coach, had encouraged him to clear his mind and sort out his batting. Given the youngster’s obvious talent and promise, his team will back him to bounce back.
It is unlikely that the pitches for this series will offer as much spice as the ones brought out for India. The spinners, who often sat out in the previous series in the country, could come in to play a role on the slower surfaces. Warm weather is expected, with highs of 28°C and a passing afternoon shower forecast on the first day.
Squads, South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.
Australia: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc. – African News Agency (ANA)
