Australia to be the favourites against South Africa, says Shane Warne – Cricket News Update
Talking about the forthcoming Test series between Australia and South Africa, Shane Warne, the former leg-spinner, has expressed that both the sides are evenly matched but rated the Baggy Greens as favourites because of the home advantage.
The three-match series starts from November, 9, 2012, at Brisbane, with ICC’s number one Test ranking at stake. The Proteas became the world’s best team earlier this year, having beaten England by two games to none. However, they will slip down the rankings again in case of a series loss down-under.
Both the teams have been working extremely hard off-late for the battle, with Cricket Australia (CA) withdrawing their premier all-rounder, Shane Watson, from the on-going Champions League T20 2012, in order to get him prepared for the all-important contest.
Graeme Smith and company have the services of a number of brilliant cricketers in all departments. The presence of Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers make them a very solid batting unit; whereas, in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, the Proteas have three of the world’s best fast bowlers. They also have a talented leg-spinner in Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born cricketer.
Warne, who is considered to be one of the history’s greatest spin bowlers, feel that there is not much to choose between the two teams but the Kangaroos should enjoy the upper-hand because of the home conditions.
"When you're at home, you're expected to win. There's no real standout side for me. Anyone can beat anyone and when it's at home I'd expect Australia to beat South Africa," said the former cricketer.
In the 145 Tests and 194 One Day Internationals, the legendary spinner picked up more than a thousand victims representing his country. On top of that, Warne has 13 fifties at the highest stage of the game under his belt.
Warne believes that both the teams have some outstanding fast bowlers, who have the potential to make things tough for the batsmen.
He feels, "It will be a great contest. It will be the bowlers who are on display for both teams, they will really test the batsmen's techniques."
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