Australia V South Africa – 1st Test – South African batsmen to watch out for
Graeme Smith led South African tourists are all set to lock horns with the mighty Aussies in the first Test of the three-match series, at the historic Gabba venue, on Friday, November 9, 2012.
Both the outfits hold a much hyped roster of players, but the South African team will surely stand out as a potential threat for the Aussies, especially with a lot of potent flair on their squad. Their batting depth is particularly a daunting prospect for the Australian bowlers. Their batting is so deep that hard-hitting middle order batsman JP Duminy could be coming in all the way down at no. 7.
The lot kicks off with the skipper Graeme Smith himself, followed by his opening partner Alviro Petersen, prolific No. 3 batsman Hashim Amla and veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis. Only once the opening three wickets have fallen the Aussies will see wicketkeeper batsman AB de Villiers, who until earlier this year was the top-ranked Test batsman in the world. Presence of Jacques Rudolph and JP Duminy also poses a potent threat to the home attack.
Bettor.com has picked out the South African batsmen to watch out for in the Australia-South Africa Test series opener, in Brisbane.
Graeme Smith
The 31-year-old left-handed opener was an inspirational leader last time South Africa toured Down Under, in 2008-09. The Transvaal-born batsman smashed 326 runs in three Tests, at a startling average of 65.20, to guide the Proteas to their first series win over the Aussies in their last nine trips. Smith’s tally was studded with a century (108) and two half centuries.
He was also impressive during South Africa’s 2-0 series win over England in July-August, finishing the three-match series as third-highest run scorer, with a tally of 272 runs at 54.40. The tourists will be hoping for the skipper to continue with his good form over the next four weeks, and help them retain their World no. 1 status, which requires them to at least draw the Australia series.
Overall, Smith has to date played 102 Test matches compiling 8314 runs at an average just shy of 50.
Hashim Amla
The 29-year-old top-order batsman hailing from Natal is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the current cricket scenario, particularly for his ability to stay cool even under pressure.
The right-hander, who has so far played 62 Tests and an equal number of ODIs, has always contributed enormously for the Proteas, especially in situations where the side desperately needed runs on the board. During South Africa’s tour of England this summer, Amla was the best batsmen of the three-Test series by a distance, finishing the series at the top of the runs chart with 482 runs in five innings at 120.50, including an unbeaten 311.
Since his Test debut for South Africa in March 2008, Amla has played 62 matches and is just 54 runs away from the 5000-run mark. His tally of 4946 runs is studded with 16 tons and 23 half centuries.
Jacques Kallis
Kallis is unarguably the best all-rounder in contemporary cricket. His hard-hitting skills, coupled with his damaging medium pace bowling, have always proved as a potential threat for the opponents.
Regarded as one of the finest cricketers in the world, Kallis premiered his first ever Test appearance for South Africa in 1995, and since then the 37-year-old has played 155 matches under the format, piling up 12641 runs at a superb average of 56.94. In Australia, Kallis has so far played 12 matches striking 915 runs at 45.75.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com’s official editorial policy.
Tags: