FIRST TEST
South Africa v Australia Starts tonight, 7pm, Kingsmead
Batters STEVE SMITH
Can the magic man produce yet again when the stakes are at their highest? If the pitches offer even half as much of the fiery pace and bounce India faced last month, this shapes as an epic battle for Smith to conquer.
DAVID WARNER
The only Australian cricketer not to have had a break this summer has come into camp rejuvenated. Warner has proven he has perhaps a better ability to change quickly between formats than anyone in the world and he has brought the energy from the Twenty20 team’s big triumph in New Zealand with him.
FAF du PLESSIS
The South African captain is not 100 per cent fit after fracturing his right index finger against India and another blow could consign him to surgery and the sidelines. But du Plessis has proven an inspiration against Australia and believes he can do it again with no preparation.
A.B. de VILLIERS
One of cricket’s all-time great batsmen wasn’t part of the Test team that destroyed Australia down under the summer before last. But he returns at a time when South Africa needs him. A freak in the class of Smith and Kohli, de Villiers wants to go out on top with one last big scalp.
Bowlers MITCHELL STARC
By all reports, the foot that gave Starc issues in the Ashes has settled down and he has arrived in South Africa with the red ball swinging. If the home side’s plan to take the pace out of the wickets comes to fruition, Starc’s swing and variation will be absolutely crucial.
PAT CUMMINS
All eyes are on the fast bowler who made his name in South Africa to see how he goes on his long-awaited return seven years later. Express pace and an ability to play almost as an allrounder at No.8 makes him one of the most crucial figures in the series.
KAGISO RABADA
With no Dale Steyn, Rabada is the new raging bull of the South African attack. Smith has flagged an intention to potentially try to get under Rabada’s skin. The No.1 ranked fast bowler in world cricket cannot be underestimated on home soil.
VERNON PHILANDER
Which Philander will turn? In 2011 his swing bowling annihilated Australia and he was the architect behind the embarrassing 47 all out in Cape Town. However, on Australia’s last visit in 2014, Warner and company took Philander to the cleaners.
TEAMS Australia:
David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
South Africa likely team:
Dean Elgar, Aiden Makram, Hashim Amla, A.B. de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (capt), Wiaan Mulder/Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel