South Africa vs Australia Test 1st Test Tips & Preview - Proteas backed to win series opener
The much-anticipated Test series between South Africa and Australia begins Friday, with South Africa tipped to edge their rivals. The Proteas boast strong recent home form and a balanced side led by Temba Bavuma, who averages 41.78 against Australia. Injury to Tony de Zorzi forces a reshuffle while the availability of Kagiso Rabada is pending. Australia, led by Pat Cummins, features a world-class bowling attack but will miss Cameron Green due to injury. Key players expected to shine include Bavuma, Marco Jansen, and Mitchell Starc. The article concludes that South Africa are favored to win the 1st Test.
- South Africa are backed to win the 1st Test against Australia, led by Temba Bavuma.
- Injuries impact both teams, with Rabada's fitness uncertain and Cameron Green ruled out.
- Marco Jansen and Mitchell Starc are highlighted as key players likely to influence the match.
South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Verdict
The must awaited series gets underway on Friday with South Africa backed to edge Australia as they sides meet in the 1st Test.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma is a man for the big occasion and averages 41.78 after 17 knocks against Australia.
- South Africa’s Temba Bavuma has scored 91, 30 & 103 in his last 4 knocks.
- South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton has scores of 54*, 49, 127, 27 & 71* in his last 5 innings.
- South Africa’s Marco Jansen took 3/39 & 4/61 in his last red ball match.
- Australia’s Mitchell Starc has scored 42, 60 *& 111 in his last 3 innings.
- Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has scores of 36, 84, 24 & 22 in his last 4 innings.
- Australia’s Mitchell Starc took 6/12 & 4/39 in his last Test against Bangladesh.
Head-to-Head
South Africa have won two and lost two of their last five Tests against Australia, with the other match ending in a draw.
South Africa Form
South Africa enter the opening Test with strong momentum after dominating the ODI series and building on strong recent home Test success.
Temba Bavuma leads a balanced side combining experience, depth and an imposing bowling attack.
Bavuma anchors the batting with Aiden Markram, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne providing plenty of support.
Stubbs was South Africa’s leading scorer in their last Test series against India, making 163 runs across four innings. Tony de Zorzi’s injury will force a reshuffle at the top of the order.
The bowling remains the Proteas' major strength. Kagiso Rabada is fit again although not yet cleared by their medical team.
If he plays he will head a pace unit that can call on Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson, while Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer provide the spin options.
Australia Form
Australia arrive at Kingsmead looking to recover from their ODI series defeat as they look to reassert themselves in the Test format.
Pat Cummins captains an experienced side whose greatest strength remains a world-class bowling attack.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne form the backbone of the batting, while Travis Head adds aggression and Matthew Renshaw is expected to feature at the top. Alex Carey remains an important wicketkeeper-batter, with Josh Inglis also available.
Cameron Green’s absence through an abdominal injury is a significant blow after he scored 184 runs in the recent series against Bangladesh.
Cummins leads a formidable pace group that includes Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.
Starc took 12 wickets against Bangladesh, while Hazlewood claimed eight. Nathan Lyon is their main spin threat and has decades of Test experience.
Team News
The Proteas are sweating on Kagiso Rabada’s availability and a late call will be made on his fitness. Anrich Nortje is likely to start after some time out of the Test side, but Tony de Zorzi is out through injury. Cameron Green’s injury during the 3rd ODI will keep him out of the Aussie side.
South Africa (possible XI): Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Marques Ackermann, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.
Australia (possible XI): Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
Verdict
South Africa are tipped to beat Australia, with Temba Bavuma a strong candidate to be in the runs again. Marco Jansen has been in great form with the ball, while I’m also backing Mitchell Starc to star for the Aussies.
Temba Bavuma
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Mitchell Starc
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Marco Jansen
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South Africa Win
Result
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Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.
He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side.
Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.
Over the last decade and more, he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.
You can follow Ralph on LinkedIn and Muckrack and find him featured on Mzansiwins, Bets.co.za and Cape Media Corporation.
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