TESTING TIMES
SA vs Australia: quicks weigh up
THE last time South Africa played a Test against Australia at Kingsmead in 2009, current captain Faf du Plessis was starting to make his run-making weight felt at franchise level.
His two Titans teammates, AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, were already established Test regulars. The former has a massive point to prove having not scored a Test 100 in 13 matches since January 2015 while the latter is winding down an international career that started at Kingsmead against India back in 2006.
Either way, he’ll need them to fire on all cylinders for today’s first Test against Australia at Kingsmead.
There were broken fingers and chipped chins courtesy of Mitchell Johnson some nine years ago and Australia still pack a fearsome, young and skilful attack.
De Villiers made a valiant but fruitless second innings 84 while Morkel found himself dropped for the next Test after a caning at the hands of the late Phil Hughes, who made 115 and 160. Australia then went to wrap up a fourth consecutive series win in South Africa thanks to a 175-run win.
However, De Villiers hasn’t quite delivered in the manner that he wants to and Du Plessis felt his good friend may finally come good.
De Villiers made two match-turning contributions in the first and second Tests of the India series without getting to triple figures. There’s also the imposing figure of Morkel who’ll want to start his last Test series with a bang.
“What I can say about AB is that he’s extremely motivated for this series. He understands that he’s one of the best players in the world and if he has a quiet series, it makes him want to do more. He doesn’t want people talking about him not performing. The motivation for that will be a very big performance,” said Du Plessis.
“Morne’s been an absolute legend of a servant for South African cricket. He’s been a great team man for the last 10-12 years and he’s served the team well.”
Australia are highly unlikely to make changes to the starting 11 that thrashed England by an innings and 123 runs in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney early in January.
They caned the Old Enemy 4-0, regaining the Ashes unceremoniously while captain Steve Smith scored 687 runs in the five matches.
Smith also knows Morkel may have a point to prove with nothing to lose but felt his team has prepared sufficiently for what the hosts will throw at them. Australia also have a proud record to defend in South Africa.
They haven’t lost a series here since the 1969-70 four-Test encounter when Dr Ali Bacher’s unit whitewashed Bill Lawry’s team in four Tests.
“I have no doubt that he’s been a terrific performer for the Proteas for a long period of time. They’ll want to do everything they can to send him out on a winning note. It’s up to us to try and stop that. He’s a terrific bowler and he’s had a fabulous career,” said Smith.
Probable teams:
South Africa:
Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis de Bruyn/Wiaan Mulder, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel
Australia: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.