The first of three test matches between Australia and South Africa gets under way at The Gabba, Brisbane on Saturday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
This is a 3 match series with the second test starting at the MCG on Boxing Day and the final contest starts in Sydney on 4th January. Let's begin with the squads.
Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the first test for Australia, skipper Pat Cummins is in the squad after missing the most recent test against the West Indies through injury.
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cam Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Malibongwe Maketa takes over as interim coach of the Proteas, Knights quick Gerald Coetzee is handed a first call up to the squad and Theunis de Bruyn returns to the fold.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (C), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Khaya Zondo
Recent Form
Australia
Australia have just completed a 2 match series at home to West Indies and they won the first test by 164 runs and the second by 419 runs.
In June / July this year they drew a 2 match series in Sri Lanka 1-1 and in March they won a 3 match series in Pakistan 1-0.
South Africa
The Proteas were in England in August / September, they won the first test by an innings and 12 runs but lost the second test by an innings and 85 runs and then lost the decider by 9 wickets to go down 2-1.
In March / April the Proteas won both test matches at home to Bangladesh by margins of 220 and then 332 runs.
South Africa were in New Zealand in February and after being thrashed by an innings and 276 runs in the first test they showed great character to claim a draw with a 198 run victory in the second test.
The Proteas hosted India in a 3 match series over Christmas and New Year and although they lost the first test by 113 runs they fought back for a series win, winning the second match by 7 wickets and the decider by the same margin.
Recent Head to Head
The most recent series came in SA in March 2019 when the Australian ball tampering scandal made the headlines and the Proteas won the series 3-1.
In November 2016 the Proteas were 2-1 winners in Australia.
The Gabba, Brisbane
Over the course of the last decade Australia have won 8 and lost 1 of 9 test matches at this venue with India's 3 wicket victory in January 2021 the only blemish on that record.
The most recent test at The Gabba came in the Ashes in December 2021 and Australia (425 and 20/1) beat England (147 and 297) by 9 wickets. Travis Head made 152 in the first innings and Pat Cummins took 5 wickets in the first innings and 2 in the second.
You can check the weather forecast here
The Betting - 1st Test Match
At the time of writing Australia are 5/10 to win the match with the draw at 23/5 and South Africa are 15/4
Labuschagne and Steve Smith are 11/4 joint favourites to top score for Australia in the first innings and Elgar is 11/4 favourite to do likewise for South Africa
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
This is a really tough task for the Proteas and Australia will be aiming for a series win to boost their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final.
After he missed the World T20 tournament I will go with van der Dussen to top score in SA's first innings whilst Anrich Nortje gets the vote to be SA's top 1st innings wicket taker.
Steve Smith will be getting plenty of media attention in this series, he was in the runs against the West Indies and he is taken to make a ton in the first innings.
Bets: Top South Africa 1st Innings Run Scorer van der Dussen at 4/1 with Sunbet
SA Top 1st Innings wicket taker Nortje at 3/1 with Sunbet
To score a century in the first innings 1, Steve Smith? (yes) at 18/5 with Sunbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Sunbet, Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R1,000 here
Subscribe to our free weekly betting mailer which will include our best and value bets below.
