South Africa, Australia keen to turn focus back on cricket

Overview

South Africa v Australia
Newlands, Cape Town
3rd Test
Thursday 22 March; 10.30am local, 8.30 GMT

There’s unmissable anticipation about the third Test of the four-match series between the No.2 and No.3 ranked Test sides, and rightly so. There’s been a week’s break between matches, the series is keenly balanced at 1-1, and the No.1 bowler has been cleared to play.

Kagiso Rabada’s inclusion in the Test after an infraction threatened to result in a suspension is the biggest boost for South Africa. The young speedster took 11/150 across two innings in Port Elizabeth, setting up the hosts’ six-wicket win with some help from AB de Villiers.

“We are very happy that he is allowed to play,” said Ottis Gibson, the coach, on Tuesday. “He has been made aware of his on-field celebrations – I don’t want to say behaviour because he is not a badly-behaved kid – he is just excitable and exuberant at times. When you are playing the best team in the world sometimes that will come out of you.”

South Africa had called up Duanne Olivier and all-rounder Chris Morris as cover for the last two Tests, but it’s unlikely their services will be needed. Morne Morkel, who sat out of the last game, could return to the squad given a pacy track is expected.

Australia received some positive news themselves about their pace attack. Mitchell Starc, who had been nursing a sore calf, and Mitchell Marsh, who picked up a groin strain, went through training without aggravating their injuries.

Nathan Lyon, the off-spinner, said he had “no doubts” about Starc’s fitness. "I know the bowlers are feeling fresh after a couple of days off.”

De Villiers has been the most dominating batsman all series, looking unstoppable even in the face of unusual tactics. For Australia, Warner has been reasonably comfortable facing the new ball.

Both sides have enjoyed contributions up and down the order, but the challenge for the batsmen will be to convert starts once they give themselves the time to settle.

"There's been so much noise that people have actually forgotten there is such a great Test series happening between two strong and competitive teams,” said Dean Elgar. So for now, both teams are set to turn the focus back to cricket.

Key players

Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): All the focus is on the young pacer, who picked up his fourth career ten-wicket haul in the second Test. Gibson insisted that Rabada’s preparations hadn’t been affected by the Code of Conduct hearing, but both the team and the player know that they cannot afford any more slip-ups. Australia, ever the hard competitors, won’t hesitate to push his limits.

Steve Smith (Australia): The Australian captain has had a quiet series by his own high standards, making just one fifty in four outings so far. South Africa seem to have a plan against him, and his team will be looking to him to steady the batting in the face of a relentless bowling attack.

Conditions

Newlands is a South African stronghold. The pre-match talk has been about a green-top, with help for reverse swing. A sunny day is expected, with highs of 26°C.

Squads

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Chris Morris

Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc