http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 V South Africa – 1st Test – South African bowlers to watch out for
After having dethroned England as World’s No. 1 Test side a couple of months ago, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 led South African contingent is gearing to perform well against a strong Australian side in the three-match Test series, at the latter’s backyard. The first Test of the series gets underway in Brisbane, on Friday, November 9, 2012.
Neither of the side is especially well prepared for the Test saga, since September and October have been the months of T20 plenty. But the presence of some of the world’s best Test players on the rosters of both the sides makes it the most enthralling series of the month, which will also see http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
The Gabba wicket traditionally favours seamers, but curator Kevin http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mitchell-c76390 jnr. has predicted a slightly drier surface with more turn than that prepared for last year's Test match between Australia and New Zealand. However, one can once again expect the quicks leading from the front as some cloud and rain has been predicted for Brisbane over the next five days.
Bettor.com looks at the South African pacers who are expected to create a havoc for the Australian line-up, at Gabba over the next five days. The lot includes world’s best Test bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander.
Dale Steyn
Steyn, 29, is one of the fiercest fast bowlers in the world and can rattle any batting line-up. At Gabba, the Phalaborwa seamer will be up against some of the greatest batsmen, including http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942.
The right-arm speedster had a pretty good warm up game against Australia A, providing the tourists some early breakthroughs in both the innings, and will hope to take that form and spirit to Brisbane for the series opener.
What makes him dangerous is his ability to get good swing and bounce early on. He may also be able to get some reverse swing with the old ball. His first task will be to not only contain the opposition batsmen but also make early inroads. Once the top order is set into unrest, the spearhead pacer will be called on later in the day to keep the Aussie batsmen on their toes.
Since debuting for South Africa in December 2004, Steyn has so far played 57 Tests, claiming 287 wickets at an average of 23.50 and an economy rate of 3.39 an over. The veteran pacer has four 10-wicket and 18 five-wicket hauls in his name, with best figures of 10 for 91.
Vernon Philander
Since making his Test debut against Australia at home, in November last year, the Bellville medium-pacer has enjoyed a meteoric rise. He has swagger, accuracy and the talent to burn and demolish any opposition batting line-up.
After starting his career with a stunning eight-wicket haul, against the mighty Aussies, Philander has so far claimed 63 wickets from ten Test appearances at a stupendous average of 15.96. He was the second highest wicket taker during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s tour of England, this summer, picking up 12 wickets in three matches at 23.66, and is expected to run riot against the star-studded Australian line-up over the next couple of weeks.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528
The gangling Transvaal born right-arm fast bowler is capable of generating bounce on almost any surface in the world, and is often accurate enough to remove even the most set batsman in the opposition.
Morkel made his Test debut for South Africa in December 2006 and has http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472o date played 42 matches picking up 150 wickets, but at a relatively expensive average of 30.36. When things don’t go his way, the pace ace seems to lose his self-belief and this is one realistic reason behind him being an expensive strike bowler.
In the presence of young http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vernon-Philander-c2753, he is unlikely to open the bowling for the Proteas at Gabba. However, regardless of whether he is sharing the new ball with Steyn or bowling at first change, the South African speedster will have to absorb himself wholly into the role given to him and earn the side some valuable breakthroughs.
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