AUS vs SA: Equal attacks mean batsmen will determine series

• Australia’s fast bowlers should set the tone for this series.
• Both teams have 12 pitchers with the capacity to stifle run-scoring.
• Australia hasn’t been bowled out in four Test innings.

AUS vs SA: Done chatting. We’ve covered the context and controversies; now for the cricket. On Saturday at 10.20am in Queensland, all eyes will be on bat versus ball.

In contrast to the Bazballing we’ve seen, the fast bowlers should set the tone for this series. Both teams have 12 pitchers with the capacity to stifle run-scoring with strangling lines and lengths. The Australian and South African attacks are evenly matched, hence the series will likely be decided by the batsmen.

Australia hasn’t been bowled out in four Test innings (all against West Indies) and has scored over 300 nine times in 17 innings this year. David Warner’s dry spell is a problem, but other big names are scoring big runs.

South Africa can only hope. In their last four Test innings, they scored under 200, and they had five 300-plus scores in 17 innings. Only two centuries among them in this World Test Championship, for example, but every member of the squad who’s been asked about it cites challenging conditions and tougher attacks.

Australia could be the spot to prove if those are the only reasons for low averages. South Africa struggled in England with sideways movement and true bounce.

The home attack is as fast and dangerous as South Africa’s bowlers, if not more so. If some of the top six don’t fare well in this series, they could lose their spots and be replaced. Malibongwe Maketa, South Africa’s interim head coach, is interested in the permanent post.

Maketa’s work is easier than it seems. South Africa can lose the series and still make the WTC final if they win one Test. That’s not true. Given South Africa’s dominance in Australia over the past 15 years, a series win is not unreasonable.

Australia will try to recapture its home fortresses and regain their pre-2008 dominance against South Africa. Since January 2021, they’ve won six of seven home Tests.

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