Intense and fearsomeness are two adjectives may not be enough to describe the battle between two teams who give out of their best when they play against each other and it will not be any different this time as the off field banter already burning up the Waca is in already to host the first test of the Aussie season, and also the First of 3 match series against Proteas on Thursday.
Fortunes have turned in a big way for the both sides since their last encounter on Aussie soil, Where Proteas dominated the test rankings with their win in Australia with dramatic draws followed by a big win. While in the recent past Proteas found it difficult all over the world in the longer format declining from No.1 to No.5 although it won't say the retirements of Smith and kallis alongside consistent injures to their premier fast bowler Dale Steyn.
But now he is back in the wings for Proteas and coming with some good outings against Kiwis early in the season, although concern still remain in absence of De Villiers who is yet to recovery from Injury. While the new additions Bevuma and Rabada are found during tough times and with Dekock making up in test rankings made the batting more depth to work with, but the lite's of Duplese and Duminy yet to Stabilize their position if AB returns.
On the other hand the hosts haven't had a good outing in the island and that followed with clean sweep against Proteas in ODIs which doesn't resemble their standards. But for now they are back at home where they known to make rules and recent history isn't far away to show the dominance,. And with Starc back in the side who has been phenomenal over couple years for the Aussie will add more price in this conditions compared with in Sri Lanka, where he rattled with 20+ wickets in 3 match series.
Meanwhile they also add more price on lites of Warner, Smith and Voges with the bat, even though the squad which isn't the same that dominated Proteas back at their home will seek much needed inspiration from that.
While the pitch at Waca has been in the spotlight with it's uncharacteristic results in the last couple of seasons and it will be even more this time around, although those criticism over the years made to have some grass on the pitch this time. But it will be in focus on how it will behave as the match progresses.
But both sides need to find their playing XI on conditions on offer where Aussies stated the squad with leaving Mennie out of the 12 men squad
Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Shaun Marsh, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Adam Voges, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan Lyon.
While the Proteas might tempted to go with extra pacer instead of front line spinner as Duminy and Elgar known to spin their arms.
South Africa (possible XI)
1 Stephen Cook, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 Temba Bavuma, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Morne Morkel.
At the end it is an contest to watch out for some steamy fast bowling if the pitch regains to its true nature and the contest lies between the batting units of either sides to come on top.
No comments:
Post a Comment