Tasmania’s Alex Doolan to debut in familiar conditions in South Africa

AUSTRALIA has always found a way of dominating in the new South Africa and Michael Clarke must do the same again.

Australian batsmen Alex Doolan, left, and Phillip Hughes check out the surrounds at Centurion before a batting session. Pictu...

AUSTRALIA has always found a way of dominating in the new South Africa and Michael Clarke must do the same again with a revamped side that will include debutant Alex Doolan batting at number three when the first Test begins in Pretoria today.

Remarkably Australia has never lost a Test series in post-apartheid South Africa on six tours despite the current number one side lording over every other nation. Clarke believes similar conditions have much lot to do with Australia’s success.

“I think the wickets generally have pace and bounce, like the Gabba and WACA in Australia,” Clarke said.

“Australian players are brought up on fast, bouncy wickets, so in that regard you hope we can adapt a lot quicker to, say, rather than when we go to India, where the ball stays low and spins a lot more.

“I think it’s probably going to be easier for us to adapt to these conditions . . . but there’s always a home-ground advantage.”

Certainly Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott believes the Centurion Park pitch, where South Africa has won 17 of 18 Tests, will be similar to his old home ground at the Gabba.

“If you were starting today you’d probably bowl first but we’ll see,” McDermott said. “The weather forecast is supposed to be hotter and clearer so the wicket will dry out a lot.

“It is not exactly totally flat either so we’ll just see how the roller treats that.”

The vagaries of the pitch and South Africa’s outstanding record at Centurion Park have left Shaun Marsh a firm favourite to regain his Test place to stiffen the batting ahead of all-rounder Moises Henriques, who is an obvious like for like swap with the injured Shane Watson.

In 37 home-series Tests since readmission to international cricket two decades ago, South Africa have won an imposing 27, drawn five and lost just five, but four of those losses have been against Australia, along with two draws.

Despite Australia’s remarkable record in South Africa, the statistics reflect how difficult it can be to bat there in fast bowler friendly conditions against a quality pace attack.

A number of Australia’s recent best average below their impress career figures there, including Ricky Ponting (47), Matthew Hayden (35), Mike Hussey (32) and Justin Langer (30).

Likewise Clarke’s 34 average in South Africa is well below his career numbers (51) or his overall average of 70 against South Africa on the back of successive double centuries against them in Australia last season.

Clarke played the innings of his life in Cape Town on Australia’s previous tour here two seasons ago, scoring 151 out of 284 on a difficult pitch against Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, but Australia was then bowled out for just 47 in its second innings to lose by eight wickets.

“I made some runs yeah, unfortunately it’s not a game I try and remember to be honest but it’s been played on television about 40 times since we got here so I think everyone remembers it now. It seems to be on repeat.”

Still, as always, Australia found a way to save the series with a record run chase at the Wanderers to win the second and final Test.

Likely team: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Alex Doolan, Michael Clarke (c), Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon.