SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA, 3rd Test, PREVIEW, LIVE UPDATES, PLAYING XI, LIVE STREAMING

Australia tour of South Africa 2018

South Africa vs Australia, 3rd Test at Newlands, Cape Town

The Big Picture

In what was being viewed as the most anticipated series of the summer has been epitomized to the hilt with two cracking Test matches at Durban and Port Elizabeth. While Australia came out trumps at Kingsmead, the hosts pulled one back thanks to AB de Villiers hundred and11-fer from 22-old paceman Kagiso Rabada. Whilst both sides have played compelling yet attritional cricket, it has been overshadowed by the ugly altercations firstly between Warner and Quinton de Kock, now known as The Stairway Brawl and then Kagiso Rabad’s alleged physical contact with Steve Smith after dismissing the Aussie batsman. Rabada was charged with three demerit points taking his tally to ten, rendering a (Level-2 charge) 2-match ban on the fast bowler. However, an appeal against the alleged contact was reversed to a Level-1 offense allowing Rabada to feature in the remainder of the series.

The series now moves on to the picturesque Newlands ground in Cape Town. The past two Test matches involving the two teams on this ground have had contrasting experiences for Australia. While they had to face the ignominy of a 47-run all-out in 2011, Ryan Harris magical spell to win them the Test in 2014. This time around, while they’d be hoping the middle-order gets some runs, Steve Smith’s form will be pretty critical for the Aussies.

Also Read: Rabada cleared to play

Pitch and Weather conditions:

While the weather forecast is fine for much of the five days, The pitch at Newlands is expected to be grassy with plenty of seam movement to favor the quicks as was the case in the New Year Test against India.

When: Thursday, 22nd March 2018 at 13:30 PM IST

Where: Newlands, Capetown

Australia

Australia would be hoping to get back on winning ways after an indifferent return from their middle-order and fast bowlers. they had a few injury concerns leading into the Test match in Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc but have been cleared to play.Australia has named an unchanged XI for the second Test.

Australia (XI) David Warner, Steve Smith (C), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (WK), Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa

That South Africa won the PE Test comprehensively was largely due to an outstanding hundred by AB de Villiers and the bowling of Kagiso Rabada. While Amla and Elgar played gritty knocks in the first innings, the Proteas would be hoping for an all-round batting performance at Newlands.

Two changes are expected in the South African squad. While Bavuma may come in place of de Bruyn, Lungi Ngidi who is suffering from a toe problem may make way for Morne Morkel.

South Africa (15-member squad) Faf du Plessis (C), Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar. Temba Bavuma, AB de Villiers, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (WC), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Here’s everything you need to know about South Africa vs Australia:

Form Guide for both teams (Recent matches first)

AUSTRALIA: LWWDW

SOUTH AFRICA: WLLWW