Australian Cricket: South African Tour of Australia Preview – the Grounds

Australian Cricket: Australia vs South Africa test series – the grounds.

 

With the exception of the last Ashes tour in Australia, I can not remember a more anticipated battle then the one that will be unleashed on Dec 17 between the Australian cricket team and the South African Protea’s.  What makes this exciting is that it is effectively a one verse two battle where for the first time in a decade the result will strongly indicate who will stay or become the number one team in the short term future.  It is amazing that the Australian public (thanks to retirements) can expect a strong battle and traditional test matches that may not look like having a result until the very last day.  The three test series will be played at the WACA, MCG and SCG.

 

The WACA test will prove to be a battle of the bowlers with batsmen expecting to cash in and bowlers relying on a (by all reports) traditional bouncy wicket to take wickets from false shots and a bit of extra bounce.  Expect catching to be the difference between a win and a loss if both teams play with controlled aggression and wise shot selection.  If any batting line up fails on the WACA pitch it should seal their fate.  I predict the WACA to turn up a draw with both teams fighting it out right up until late in the last session for a win.  I’m really hoping this match to be a game to remember, I can only hope Australia pick a spinner to give them a different attacking option to a one speed pace attack.

 

The traditional boxing day test at the MCG should again be a traditional Melbourne test match that cricketers have come to know and love.  It is my prediction that this test match will be the key match of the series.  Not just because it’s the second test match but because if the South Africans can handle the pressure of the large crowds and the occasion and salvage a draw or steal a win the series will be very hard for Australia to win.

 

The third and final game at the SCG will likely come down to a toss of the coin.  The curator expects a pitch that will be nice to bat on on day 1 and two but deteriorate rather quickly to offer plenty of wickets and challenging variable bounce late in the test.  It is my prediction that Australia will walk into this game 1-0 up with a draw at the WACA and a win at the MCG and for South Africa to come out guns blazing. Expect the South Africans to throw everything at Australia that they can in this test match even if they are 2-0 down.  Of all three tests this is the one I expect SA to win.

 

As you can see, I predict the series to be a drawn affair 1-1. 

 

Check out my review on the Key Players in the two teams and a summary of key issues surrounding this tour.

 

Related Articles:

- 2nd test review: Aus vs NZ, Adelaide.

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