http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 – 1st Test – Match Preview
After losing the ODI series, South Africa will look to get back on track against a strong Australian contingent when the two sides lock horns in the first Test match, played at Cape Town, November 9, 2011.
It has been a great start for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 as the skipper of the Kangaroos, where the team seems rejuvenated and hungry to succeed. Despite of all the off field distract actions, performing on the pitch is given high priority, which has simply enabled
the skipper and the senior players to guide a few youngsters and ensure that the team is moving on the right track.
The focus now shifts to the longer version of cricket, which will provide another fierce battle between the two heavy weights. The last time the Aussies toured Proteas was in 2009 and went back with a series win by a margin of 2-1.
A lot has changed in both ranks since then, with the power shifting to the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Timothy-John-Nielsen-c94043 highlighted an import fact in his interview earlier in the week, where he was critical of the team, who mastered the
art of none, however, was jack of all trade.
The biggest problem remains that with so much success in the past decade, the slump for the Aussies might be associated with them being trying to become no 1 in all formats. Had they prioritize only the Test cricket, one could say that they would have been
in a much better place rather that losing back to back Ashes.
However, this team still has a lot to offer and will look to assert their dominance when they take on the hosts in a much- awaited series. The key for the Australians will be left-armer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MG-Johnson-c1945, who again proved his worth with a towering performance
in the practice match where he bamboozled the South African A side with some precise bowling. If he can emulate his good showing in the Test match, a win will surely be beckoning.
For the hosts, the welcoming news is the return of ODI captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887, who missed the limited overs series due to a finger injury. His presence in the middle-order will be a perfect booster for the side and his commanding presence in the field will
be another positive.
The Proteas start to the season has been uncharacteristically slow where the batting order faltered badly in the ODI series. However, the team is booming with experience personnel, which includes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409, all of whom will
look to get the team back to its usual business.
The selection might be a dilemma for the side, which posses question of whether to play Pakistani-born, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jacques-Rudolph-c1619 likely to make a return after five years, it might leave the coach
to select one from either, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742.
The key player for the team will be http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528. He has been excellent for the team throughout the ODI series and the tall fast bowler will now hope to continue that form in the longer version of the game.
The pitch will offer pace and bounce, which will be perfect news for the bowlers. However, as the game progresses batting will become easy.
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