Australia v South Africa the contest Test cricket needed

TEST cricket — badly in need of a boost — may get a positive jolt with a highly competitive and hard fought series between Australia and South Africa.

TEST cricket — badly in need of a boost — may get a positive jolt with a highly competitive and hard fought series between Australia and South Africa.

The accent will be on speed in this series as both teams possess strong pace attacks, fully capable of exposing good batting line-ups but which also have their flaws. This is where Australia may hold an advantage; their batting is less flawed than South Africa.

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Steve Smith, with his thirst for runs and zen-like concentration, is the major difference between the two line-ups. Despite the calming presence of Hashim Amla and the skill of A B de Villiers, South Africa doesn’t boast a batsman of Smith’s dominating presence.

Starc will be a point of difference. Pic: Getty Images

The other major point of difference between these two strong teams is the left-arm of Mitchell Starc. While the South African pace attack is virtually the equal of Australia’s formidable line-up, Starc provides the variation that is missing in the hosts all right-arm group.

Amla — like most batsmen — is susceptible around off-stump which Starc, with his angle across the right-hander should be able to exploit. That’s if Josh Hazlewood doesn’t claim his scalp first. Remarkably, Hazlewood dismissed Amla all five times in the recent series in Australia.

There are other positives for Australia’s bowlers. In order to accommodate their pace bowling options, South Africa has been playing a shortened batting line-up and of that group, de Villiers, Quentin de Kock and Faf du Plessis are all returning from injury.

Captain’s always cool at the crease (v Pakistan last year). Pic: Brett Costello

The fact that both de Kock and du Plessis suffered hand injuries could be significant considering the first Test venue is Kingsmead, in Durban. The pitch there is often referred to as the ‘Green Mamba’; a comparison with the highly poisonous African tree snake. The locals insist the pitch is more venomous when the tide from the nearby Indian Ocean is in.

The last thing South Africa needs is star players returning from hand injuries being confronted by serious pace bowling on a lively pitch.

Equally the Australian batsmen will be tested by a helpful pitch as the South African pace bowling — even if it is minus Dale Steyn — is challenging. However, the Australian batting line-up is aggressive by nature and the South African attack — except for Vernon Philander — is prone to leaking runs under fire.

De Villiers, not quite Smith. Pic: Getty Images

Consequently, David Warner’s form is crucial to Australian success. While he’s struggled of late in white ball cricket, Warner’s success as Australia’s T20 captain should boost his confidence ahead of this huge challenge. He’ll lead a sensibly aggressive batting approach, that, if it’s successful, should pay dividends for Australia.

Unlike recent tours of the UK and India, where at times Australia appeared to be flummoxed by local conditions, Smith’s team will be comfortable in South Africa. The playing conditions are similar to home and Australia has a number of crucial players who have previously experienced victory in South Africa.

Australia has not been beaten in South Africa since the Proteas’ readmission to international cricket. However, this will be the first series of more than three Tests that Australia has played in the country since Bill Lawry’s team were whitewashed 4-nil in 1970. Ominously this tour features four Tests.

Despite the strength of both teams’ pace bowling, the two frontline spinners shouldn’t be underestimated. Nathan Lyon has grown in confidence and he’s now a difficult proposition in any conditions. Lyon is a permanent member of the Australian side, while South Africa — a team traditionally hesitant about picking spinners — still seems unsure about Keshav Maharaj.

Warner’s T20 success could help his Test form. Pic: Getty Images

South Africa will make a big mistake if they opt for an all-pace attack, as Maharaj has the ability to contain and dismiss the Australians who are less proficient at playing spin.

Adding to the drama is the hangover of the Wanderers pitch, more or less prepared to du Plessis’ instructions for the Test against India. It received a poor rating and this may result in a bland surface for Australia.

This would be a pity and what with the drastic water situation in Capetown that surface is also an unknown quantity. Hopefully the pitches will enhance, not spoil what promises to be an enthralling series.

Originally published as Australia v South Africa the contest Test cricket needed