When Australia plays South Africa in a Test match for the first time since the infamous “Sandpaper-gate” series on Saturday, they will have to prepare for one of the most hostile pace attacks in cricket.
At the Gabba in Brisbane, the tourists have fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen, all of whom are capable of firing 140 kph (90 mph) rockets down the wicket. That contrasts sharply with the West Indies, who were hammered by 419 runs in Adelaide last week after losing by 164 runs in Perth.
The Australian captaincy will be returned to a fit Pat Cummins, according to Steve Smith, who said that facing South Africa would be a “good challenge.”
Smith, who will face the visitors for the first time in red-ball cricket since being expelled in disgrace following the 2018 cheating row, said, “Hopefully we can continue the way we’ve started the summer.”
World cricket was rocked by Australia’s attempts to alter the ball with sandpaper during a Cape Town Test. Smith and David Warner were prohibited for a year in the aftermath.
According to Smith, all of that is long gone. Even though Smith is in great form, scoring a double century against the West Indies, one of his lowest batting averages from nine Tests against South Africa is 41.53.
However, Smith said: I feel good and like I’m hitting the ball well.
Marnus Labuschagne, who was born in South Africa, is also in great form after scoring a double century and two tons against the West Indies.
In any case, Warner is on a lean run, neglecting to hit three figures in almost two years.
He will be eager to make an impression on his 99th Test.
“Brash and bold” The home team will be without injured paceman Josh Hazlewood in the first of three Tests. However, Scott Boland, who took Adelaide by three wickets, will be a worthy replacement.
Michael Neser is expected to be given the nod first.
Despite the fact that South Africa’s attack poses a real threat, their batters have recently struggled.
Since the beginning of the 2021/22 season, only Sarel Erwee and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne have scored centuries in ten Test matches.
Skipper Dean Elgar stated that he anticipated a fierce series.
He told reporters prior to the tour, “The individuals they have within their squad are pretty brash and bold — in-your-face kind of characters, and that can work in our favor.”
“I believe that serves our interests. As a group, we enjoy that confrontation.”
Team Australia:
Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Team South Africa:
Dean Elgar (capt), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton