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With a strong recent record in Australia and an imposing bowling attack, South Africa are aiming to spoil the host's party from the first Test.
Winners of the last three Test series between the teams in Australia, and brushing aside an Aussie challenge on home soil in 2018, South Africa are confident of making their own push for the World Test Championship and curtailing their opponents' charge over the upcoming three-match series.
Australia lead the WTC standings after securing 75% of their possible points, though they still have to travel to India - a place they haven’t won a Test series in since 2004 - for four of their last seven matches.
South Africa meanwhile are well poised in second place (60% of possible points) with five matches remaining, hosting the West Indies for two matches after their Australian sojourn.
Positive results on the Australia tour would bode well for their chances of travelling to The Oval for the WTC Final next June, improving from their disappointing fifth-place finish in the last cycle.
Away Test victories in New Zealand and England have helped South Africa's cause in this campaign, on top of holding firm in home series wins against India and Bangladesh.
Australia and South Africa last faced off in Tests in 2018 which was before the introduction of the World Test Championship, though the biggest storyline from the series needs little introduction.
As the controversy of Cape Town created a cacophony of verbal barbs, the Proteas held firm, claiming a 3-1 Test series triumph.
This, on top of the race for the World Test Championship mace, makes this series a must-watch.
Australia’s batting line-up, studded by ICC Men’s Rankings No.1 and No.2 Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, edge out their opponents. Though it would be remiss not to acknowledge South Africa's batting quality, irrespective of those absent through injury.
Starting at the top with skipper Dean Elgar, who will aim to grind throughout a day’s play, the side welcome back Rassie van der Dussen, as Temba Bavuma finds his feet in his preferred international format.
The side are missing Keegan Petersen and Ryan Rickelton, though there are plaudits for late bloomer Sarel Erwee, whose century in New Zealand earlier in the year highlights his pedigree.
In the battle of two top-class bowling line-ups, Australia have four bowlers each boasting more than 200 Test wickets - they created history as the first attack to have a quartet with 200+ wickets in the same Test - up against a Proteas attack on the rise but potentially capable of hitting similar numbers.
Ominously, every member of South Africa's quicks push the speedometer. Kagiso Rabada's 257 Test wickets at 22.46 demands attention, and include 15 scalps at a similar rate on the team's last tour.
The numbers for his teammates also deserve a second glance. Lungi Ngidi's 49 wickets have come at 21.61, and 210cm Marco Jansen boasts 37 wickets at just 18.59.
The trio all push 140kph and faster, though they are usurped by the attack's enforcer, Anrich Nortje, who goes around 10kph quicker. It would be quite unfair not to put his record next to his teammates, having taken 57 wickets at 27.52.
Able to hit a spot back of the length, Nortje's wickets come through subtle changes, movement off the surface, and a mindset of attrition, toiling away as the man to panic last.
The speedster and the brigade showed the world their quality several times during the T20 World Cup, and Nortje told icc-cricket.com during the tournament that the side is never short of confidence irrespective of the format.
“We think we've got one of the best bowling attacks. I think the way this side has been selected and the way sort of everything has come together, everyone gives us a little bit of a different aspect. I don't think there is one bowler that's the same as other one," Nortje noted.
"We've got pace, we've got skill. Everyone can bowl quick as well. Everyone's 140kph-plus, so it’s definitely an exciting pack to be a part of."
Just to top the series off, each team is blessed with a reliable, yet potentially game-changing finger spinner.
For the hosts, Nathan Lyon stands in the top 10 for all-time Test wicket-takers (450 at 35.78), praised for his consistency and patience.
On the other side, Keshav Maharaj (150 wickets at 30.61) is an unsung hero of the Proteas group. Constantly asking questions, Maharaj is enjoying a prolific calendar year, taking 25 wickets at just 19.56.
When Nortje was asked to look ahead at the Test series, the prospects of their bowling attack mounting their World Test Championship case while ruining their rivals' hopes was not lost on him.
“We're really excited. Obviously it didn't go our way, the last two Test matches in England, but as a unit, we are really excited to sort of get going again (in Test cricket).
“We know what we want to do, we know what we want to achieve, and where we want to be at the end of next year (to make the World Test Championship final), so there's still a lot on the plate for us.
“Hopefully everyone's in good nick and everyone's fit and ready to play.
"It's going to be a great series. I'm really looking forward to Australia, to the conditions, to Boxing Day, the New Year's Test, they’re big occasions as well, but we’re just really excited to get going and to see what Australia bring as well to the table.”
ICC
==
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Winners of the last three Test series between the teams in Australia, and brushing aside an Aussie challenge on home soil in 2018, South Africa are confident of making their own push for the World Test Championship and curtailing their opponents' charge over the upcoming three-match series.
Australia lead the WTC standings after securing 75% of their possible points, though they still have to travel to India - a place they haven’t won a Test series in since 2004 - for four of their last seven matches.
South Africa meanwhile are well poised in second place (60% of possible points) with five matches remaining, hosting the West Indies for two matches after their Australian sojourn.
Positive results on the Australia tour would bode well for their chances of travelling to The Oval for the WTC Final next June, improving from their disappointing fifth-place finish in the last cycle.
Away Test victories in New Zealand and England have helped South Africa's cause in this campaign, on top of holding firm in home series wins against India and Bangladesh.
Australia and South Africa last faced off in Tests in 2018 which was before the introduction of the World Test Championship, though the biggest storyline from the series needs little introduction.
As the controversy of Cape Town created a cacophony of verbal barbs, the Proteas held firm, claiming a 3-1 Test series triumph.
This, on top of the race for the World Test Championship mace, makes this series a must-watch.
Australia’s batting line-up, studded by ICC Men’s Rankings No.1 and No.2 Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, edge out their opponents. Though it would be remiss not to acknowledge South Africa's batting quality, irrespective of those absent through injury.
Starting at the top with skipper Dean Elgar, who will aim to grind throughout a day’s play, the side welcome back Rassie van der Dussen, as Temba Bavuma finds his feet in his preferred international format.
The side are missing Keegan Petersen and Ryan Rickelton, though there are plaudits for late bloomer Sarel Erwee, whose century in New Zealand earlier in the year highlights his pedigree.
In the battle of two top-class bowling line-ups, Australia have four bowlers each boasting more than 200 Test wickets - they created history as the first attack to have a quartet with 200+ wickets in the same Test - up against a Proteas attack on the rise but potentially capable of hitting similar numbers.
Ominously, every member of South Africa's quicks push the speedometer. Kagiso Rabada's 257 Test wickets at 22.46 demands attention, and include 15 scalps at a similar rate on the team's last tour.
The numbers for his teammates also deserve a second glance. Lungi Ngidi's 49 wickets have come at 21.61, and 210cm Marco Jansen boasts 37 wickets at just 18.59.
The trio all push 140kph and faster, though they are usurped by the attack's enforcer, Anrich Nortje, who goes around 10kph quicker. It would be quite unfair not to put his record next to his teammates, having taken 57 wickets at 27.52.
Able to hit a spot back of the length, Nortje's wickets come through subtle changes, movement off the surface, and a mindset of attrition, toiling away as the man to panic last.
The speedster and the brigade showed the world their quality several times during the T20 World Cup, and Nortje told icc-cricket.com during the tournament that the side is never short of confidence irrespective of the format.
“We think we've got one of the best bowling attacks. I think the way this side has been selected and the way sort of everything has come together, everyone gives us a little bit of a different aspect. I don't think there is one bowler that's the same as other one," Nortje noted.
"We've got pace, we've got skill. Everyone can bowl quick as well. Everyone's 140kph-plus, so it’s definitely an exciting pack to be a part of."
Just to top the series off, each team is blessed with a reliable, yet potentially game-changing finger spinner.
For the hosts, Nathan Lyon stands in the top 10 for all-time Test wicket-takers (450 at 35.78), praised for his consistency and patience.
On the other side, Keshav Maharaj (150 wickets at 30.61) is an unsung hero of the Proteas group. Constantly asking questions, Maharaj is enjoying a prolific calendar year, taking 25 wickets at just 19.56.
When Nortje was asked to look ahead at the Test series, the prospects of their bowling attack mounting their World Test Championship case while ruining their rivals' hopes was not lost on him.
“We're really excited. Obviously it didn't go our way, the last two Test matches in England, but as a unit, we are really excited to sort of get going again (in Test cricket).
“We know what we want to do, we know what we want to achieve, and where we want to be at the end of next year (to make the World Test Championship final), so there's still a lot on the plate for us.
“Hopefully everyone's in good nick and everyone's fit and ready to play.
"It's going to be a great series. I'm really looking forward to Australia, to the conditions, to Boxing Day, the New Year's Test, they’re big occasions as well, but we’re just really excited to get going and to see what Australia bring as well to the table.”
ICC
==
All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.
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