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25-Feb-2009 21:27:00 GMT
Australia in South Africa, 2008/09

South Africa v Australia 1st Test, Johannesburg - Preview

Johannesburg: Five months ago, Australia stood head and shoulders above everyone else in the ICC Test rankings as they prepared to embark on a tour of India.

The South African team capped a wonderful summer by winning both the Test and ODI series in Australia convincingly. With a victory again here on their home soil the Proteas will claim the top ranking in the Test format, that would be sufficient motivation for them to come out with all guns blazing.

The Aussies have left out Bryce McGain and Nathan Hauritz which means that it will be a fight between Andrew McDonald and Doug Bollinger for the final spot.

Phillip Hughes will become Australia's youngest Test debutant since Craig McDermott in 1984 when he walks out on Thursday at the age of 20 years and 88 days.

Mitchell Johnson will lead the attack and Peter Siddle should be a shoe-in as a bowler able to utilise the swing and bounce on offer here, leaving Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus to scrap it out for the final spot in the side in a tussle that could go either way.

South Africa have named a 12-man squad for the first Test and there isn't much doubt about who will play. The left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been included but will almost certainly be the man to miss out as the settled group that beat Australia at home continues its push for the No. 1 spot.

Match facts
Thursday February 26 - Monday March 2
Start time 10.30am (08.30 GMT)

Highlights of the match


 Australia South Africa
Coach Mickey Arthur Tim Nielsen
ICC Ranking 1 2
Key Players Ponting, Katich, Clarke, Johnson Smith, Duminy, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini
Stats & Trivia Australia have won the last three Tests between the two sides at the Wanderers and two of the successes were innings victories. Jacques Kallis needs 12 runs to become the first South African to reach 10,000.
Weather There has been considerable rain over the last few days and rain has been forecast for all five days.
Pitch It should definitely encourage the seamers. AB de Villiers has predicted that it will swing around for the first couple of days so expect plenty of pace from both the sides.
Current Form WWLLW WWWWL (Recent last)
Head to head Total 83, Australia 47, South Africa 17, Tied 19

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Australia tour of South Africa, 2009
Team:
South Africa | Australia
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