Focus Shifts Back to Cricket After Rabada Row

Cape Town: The focus will switch back to cricket as South Africa and Australia clash in the third test on Thursday, with the world’s number one bowler Kagiso Rabada handed a reprieve to bolster the home side in a pivotal moment in the tempestuous series.

With the four-game series poised at 1-1, Rabada’s availability after he overturned a suspension is a huge boost for the hosts on what is expected to be a lively Newlands wicket similar to the surface used for the test against India in January which lasted only nine sessions.

That pitch was praised by both sides for setting up a good sporting contest as South Africa claimed a 72-run win, though it heavily favoured the seam bowlers.

Rabada’s availability is key to South Africa’s chances as he has 15 wickets at an average of 16.80 in the series, comfortably the most effective bowler on either side.

Gibson was less sure of the final make-up of his side, whether they stick with an extra batsman and if middle-order batsman Theunis de Bruyn retains his place or makes way for Temba Bavuma who is fit after a finger injury.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh (groin) and fast bowler Mitchell Starc (calf) have shrugged off injury concerns to be available as Australia also ponder changes having followed a comprehensive 118-run victory in the first test with a six-wicket defeat in the second.

Teams from

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier, Chris Morris

Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc

Pitch and conditions
Newlands is a South African stronghold. The pre-match talk has been about a green-top, with help for reverse swing. A sunny day is expected all five days.

Stats and trivia

• 61-run needed by Dean Elgar for 3000 Test runs.
• Morne Morkel needed three wickets for 300 and 66 for 1000 runs in Test matches.
• Nathan Lyon needed four wickets for 300 Test wickets.

Match facts
22-26 March 2018
Start time 10:30 local (08:30 GMT)