The test Summer rolls on with three tantalising Australia v South Africa matches, and it’s set to be just as entertaining as past series between the two nations.
It’s been nearly five years since the ill-fated Australia v South Africa ‘sandpaper’ test series, and even longer since the two sides have clashed on Aussie soil.
But as the series kicks off on Saturday, we’re set for an enticing showdown between two nations that always produce fiery and entertaining cricket.
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Australia has not won a home series against South Africa since the 2005/06 Summer, losing 2-1 in the most recent series in 2016/17, 1-0 in 2012/13 and 2-1 again in 2008/09.
South Africa secured victory on its most recent tour of Australia within the first two tests, recording a 177-run win in the series opener in Perth and an innings victory after routing the Aussies for 85 in Hobart, before Australia recorded a consolation win in the Adelaide day-night test to round out the series.
South Africa looms as a big threat with the ball this time around, but appears to be undermanned with the bat.
Australia comes in off a record-breaking series with the bat against the West Indies, but has frequently fallen victim to the Proteas’ fast bowling.
But again, the Aussie bowlers will be eyeing off what seems to be an inexperienced batting lineup, creating plenty of interest as the series draws closer.
So will the forthcoming series be the one where Australia finally breaks its home-soil drought? Or will South Africa prove to be the thorn in the Aussies’ side once again?
When are the Australia v South Africa tests?
The first test in Brisbane will begin on Saturday, December 17 at 11:20 am AEDT, while the second test, the Boxing Day test, will begin at 10:30 AEDT at the MCG. The final test of the series will be the traditional Sydney New Year’s test, and will begin at 10:30 am AEDT on January 4.
What do Australia and South Africa’s test squads look like?
Australia:
Pat Cummins (c), 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
Josh Hazlewood is the notable omission from Australia’s squad for the first test, recovering from the side strain that kept him out of the second test against the West Indies.
Scott Boland is set to retain his spot in the side ahead of Michael Neser, who’ll make way for the returning skipper Pat Cummins.
South Africa:
Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo
It’s a vastly different squad from the last time South Africa faced Australia in a test match, with Dean Elgar notably assuming the captaincy.
With former test keeper and white-ball star Quinton de Kock retiring from test cricket at the end of 2021, Kyle Verreynne has taken the gloves for South Africa, with Heinrich Klaasen within the squad and likely the backup option.
Embed from Getty ImagesWho are the Aussies to watch?
Scott Boland
After his Boxing Day exploits in last year’s Ashes, Boland has certainly worked his way to cult hero status in the Aussie team.
He’ll likely return to home soil and the scene of his now-famous six-for come the second test, but after making a big impact under lights against the West Indies, the Victorian quick looks right at home in the whites for Australia.
Having never faced South Africa before, Boland could be a point of difference for the Aussies, but his relentless line and length and endurance to bowl long spells will be another big bonus for Australia, particularly for putting the pressure onto what looms as a stubborn Proteas batting lineup.
Travis Head
If the middle-order pairing of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith wasn’t already threatening enough, Travis Head adds the cherry on top as he rounds out the trio at number five.
There was little doubt Head belonged in the Aussie side prior to the Summer, but he’s well and truly cemented a spot in the side after his exploits against the West Indies, with a quick-fire 99 in the first test and a new best of 175 on his home turf in the second.
Head has proven his prowess within the middle order, developing a trait of scoring quickly and applying the pressure on the opposition bowlers.
Facing a South African pace attack that looks set to have a busy series, Head’s ability to steady the ship but propel the Aussies from the middle order could be vital.
Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne was a deserved player of the series against the West Indies, hitting an incredible 502 runs, and three centuries, in the two-test series.
Born in South Africa, it will be Labuschagne’s first test series against the country of his birth, an extra point of interest as he looks to build on an already golden summer.
Facing a bowling attack with which he’s never previously been confronted, the fearsome South African quicks will be a big test of the right-hander’s credentials, but there’s no doubt Labuschagne will be aiming for another huge series with the bat.
Who are the South Africans to watch?
Dean Elgar
Elgar was one of the thorns in Australia’s side during the Proteas’ 2018 home series, scoring the third-most runs for the series with 333.
Elgar recorded a century and two fifties, scoring at a strike rate of 38 across the four matches, in what was a fairly bowler-dominated series.
South Africa’s squad is young when it comes to test experience, but as the skipper and most capped player in the Proteas’ touring party, Elgar’s expertise against the Aussies will be a big factor as the tourists aim to continue their run of dominance on Aussie soil.
Marco Jansen
Jansen is the newest member of the Proteas’ perennially fearsome pace cartel, and he’s perhaps its newest point of difference too.
South Africa already boasts pace and fiery temperament in the form of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje (see below), but Jansen’s height – he stands at 2.06 metres tall – and the angle he produces as a left-armer could make him a big force in the series.
Embed from Getty ImagesJansen’s height is a self-explanatory benefit on a typically bouncy Gabba wicket, but the 22-year-old could also provide a constant threat at both the MCG and SCG.
The two are traditionally high-scoring test venues, and Jansen’s bounce and angle could certainly be a handful and be a constant worry for the Aussie batters.
Anrich Nortje
Perhaps the showpiece of South Africa’s fast-bowling group, Nortje has established a reputation for his sheer pace.
Currently the fastest bowler in world cricket, and having never played a test on the pace-friendly Aussie pitches, Nortje will be licking his lips at the chance to cause havoc on the decks at the Gabba, the MCG and the SCG.
Nortje has previously been clocked at up to 156km/h, and will likely be exceeding the 145 and 150 km/h marks regularly as he leads the Proteas into the series against Australia.
And it’s not just the pace that makes Nortje a threat, but he has the test stats to back it up, already with 57 test wickets to his name at an average of 27.52.
Australian fans will already be familiar with Kagiso Rabada and perhaps Lungi Ngidi, but after this coming series, Anrich Nortje is sure to be a name Aussies remember.
