Australian captain Alyssa Healy confident her players can handle 40C temperatures in perth

Test matches present all manner of challenges but for Australia’s all-conquering team stifling Perth heat is an added one to overcome as they square-off against South Africa.

Australian captain Alyssa Healy’s staggering winning streak at the coin toss could be more important than ever after conceding Perth’s heatwave is set to play a pivotal part in their Test match with South Africa.

Healy wouldn’t confirm her starting XI on match eve wanting “one more look” at the WACA wicket which has been soaked in the lead-up to the one-off clash as ground staff and players brace for a sweltering 42C opening day on Thursday.

The Aussie skipper, who has won seven straight coin-tosses, said thinking about what to do had been “spinning around in my head because it is so hot” with her unwavering desire for a result, not a draw, in the four day match her driving force.

Healy was confident the players could handle the heat, with a forecast of 36C on day three and 40C on day four, but couldn’t deny it would only add to the inherent challenges of a Test match which players rarely get to play.

“We are fit enough to handle that. We spent the last little bit over in the east coast where it’s ridiculously humid so coming over here for the dry heat is a little bit of a relief in a way,” she said on match eve.

“We’ll have everything in place from a high performance point of view to make sure we get the best out of everyone and we’ll managed ourselves as well.

Aussie opener Beth Mooney jumped at the chance to pick Mike Hussey's brain about batting at the WACA! 🤩 #AUSvSApic.twitter.com/Zqhnnorrdg

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“Gut feel suggests we can get a result in four days. I think the heat is going to be a big factor on concentration levels and that resilience factors as well.

“But I there will be a result and I just hope we’re on the right end of it.”

The major selection decision for the Australians revolves around the bowling line-up, and how may spinners to play.

Off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli is Western Australia’s leading wicket-taker in Sheffield Shield matches this year with the Perth pitches turning more than usual.

But Healy pointed out the pitch the Test match is being played on hadn’t been used in recent seasons and she had an inkling it would be more like a “traditional WACA wicket” which would be good for bowling early, before flattening out.

“It’s been really challenging to finalise the XI with the 14 players we have in the squad because all of them can do a job for us,” she said.

“This wicket hasn’t been played on for a couple of years so it will be interesting to see what it does.”

Ellyse Perry is a Test dynamo. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Australians have a distinct advantage in the long format, given the South Africans have played just a single Test in the past decade.

Healy’s team played two last year alone and it’s a format her players covet, especially the likes of star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who has a Test batting average of 66 from 12 matches.

“Her patience and her resilience is what sets her apart in this format in particular,” Healy said of her veteran teammate.,

“We see it in the whitewall format in snippets but the Test matches are an opportunity for her to showcase what she can do and for long periods of time.

“There are only really three teams that seem to be playing Test cricket at the moment and South Africa is the fourth. As far as bridging the gap, I don’t know what that is.

“It’s just a great opportunity to showcase our skills over a longer period of time.”