Rivalry is a word that carries many connotations.
It can speak of countries divided by history, of tensions that simmer over generations, and, in its most extreme form, of conflict spilling onto the battlefield.
In cricket, however, the battlefield is a very different one.
For more than a century, South Africa and Australia have been engaged in a contest of their own — one shaped by skill, pride, intensity and an unrelenting desire to come out on top.
From the early encounters involving South Africa’s pre-isolation teams to the fiercely contested battles of the modern era, these two southern-hemisphere giants have built one of Test cricket’s most enduring rivalries.
Speaking about skill, pride, intensity and unrelenting desire to shine for the country, one has seen several players etch their name into the aura of greatness in the eras gone by, the likes of Barry Richards, Graham Pollock, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Denis Lillee, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and Steve Waugh to name a few.
And now in a matter of days it’s time for the current crop to ascend their legacies into immortality.
That’s right, come this Friday Australia is all set to battle South Africa in the latter’s own backyard for the first time since the Proteas became World Test Champions courtesy of overcoming this very same opposition.
Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma were the heroes on that rather eventful occasion at Lord’s and perhaps the mantle will again rest on them to carry the hopes of the 63.5 million strong Mzansi as South Africa will commence their journey on the path of a bumper test summer.
It’s a summer that will see the Proteas contest three Tests against Australia, followed by two against Bangladesh and the culmination with three against England.
Doesn’t get bigger, does it?
When just last year the Men in Green and Gold had absolutely nothing when it comes to the longest format at home.
While they did play Pakistan and India away, and were rather successful, Australia at the same time have been playing a plethora of red ball matches with comprehensively overcoming the English in the Ashes, drawing against Bangladesh, which perhaps was a tad bit surprising at home.
With this being said, of late both the teams have invested more time in the limited overs format so it will be very interesting to see how they shape up for the red ball games.
Another crucial aspect for the hosts Proteas
Rabada’s Availability Will Be Instrumental for South Africa
The buzz word doing the rounds in the South African cricketing circles these days is hamstring injuries.
Yes, more than half of the Protea pace battery is down with a hamstring tear in Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Bartmaan.
Furthermore, the Protea team management is rather optimistic on Rabada’s chances after he showed encouraging signs of recovery having played an inter-squad game just a few days back along with looking decent in training.
One hopes that he will play come Friday as KG will be crucial to South Africa’s hopes in the pace battery, having Marco Jansen for company.
Well, a positive from this multiple player injury episode, has been the recall of possibly the quickest bowler doing the rounds in the Protea setup in Anrich Nortje who makes a comeback to the 5-day format after three long years and will undoubtedly be keen to make an impression with the cherry.
It will surely be interesting to see who the Proteas pick in their bowling line up with the coastal cities of Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town hosting the three matches perhaps making it more conducive to spin as compared to the Highveld.
Possible game time for the spin twins in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, one would reckon!
Steve Smith and The Bowling Quartet Will Be Key For Australia
Australia possibly boast one of the greatest Test batters in the modern-day era in Steve Smith who would be extremely keen to do well in Protea land considering this perhaps could be one of the last series for him before walking into the sunset.
Having his legacy rather tarnished with the Sandpaper gate episode the last time OZ was here to compete in the longest format, Smith would undoubtedly be looking to end up on the right side of perceptions and what could be better than scoring a mountain of runs.
His records haven’t been the best against South Africa recording just 854 runs from 21 innings at an average of 44 vs. a career average of 56 with more than 10,000 runs.
He may certainly want to better that.
In a similar vein, the famous quartet of the Australian attack in Mitch Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon and Skipper Pat Cummins would also perhaps have boarded their last flight to South Africa amid playing on the field.
They’ve consistently been the bedrock of the OZ bowling for more than a decade and would surely want to further their legacies in this series before they call time on their careers.
The series promises to be filled with fierce rivalry, epic battles and, quite possibly, moments that will define the road ahead in the World Test Championship cycle.
Across 15 days of hard-fought Test cricket, the team that holds its nerve, adapts best and plays the better cricket will take another significant step towards a place in the next World Test Championship final.
In time, we will know which team has earned that right. For now, though, the anticipation builds and the stage is set. All that remains is for the players to walk out, take their positions, and for the first ball to be delivered in Durban.
Let the battle begin.
*Author’s Predicted XI for South Africa *– Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Marques Ackerman (on debut), Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada (if fit)/ Corbin Bosch and Anrich Nortje !
