 Australia will not mind having to play over five days as long as they are able
to square the two-test series against South Africa. The second test match
starts on Thursday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. After an action-packed first
test that saw the game see-saw within hours and wrapped up inside three days,
both sides will be wary of avoiding a repeat of their colossal batting collapses.
Click for Live Score Card of South Africa Vs Australia
Australia have a few changes to make and they will be hoping these changes come
good. Back injury to Shaun Marsh has ruled him out of the remaining matches
and David Warner has been flown in as replacement. However, Usman Khawaja,
is likely to be take Marsh's spot in the playing eleven. Another prospective change
is to award the baggy green to fast-bowler Pat Cummins, at the expense of either
Peter Siddle or the usually-inconsistent Mitchell Johnson, both of whom picked
up one wicket apiece in the first test.
South Africa, despite their batting succumbing miserably in the first innings
at Cape Town, are likely to resist making changes. Opener Jacques Rudolph, although
failed in both innings, is likely to be given an extended run on his return from
exile. Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla stamped their authority with aggressive centuries
and the rest of the batting order will hope to take cue from it. Vernon Philander's
impressive show on debut means the bowling unit also looks relatively stable.
Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will be keen on extracting the maximum out
of the pacer-friendly pitch at the Wanderers.
The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg is known for its pacer-friendly pitches
and both the teams will be looking to make maximum use of it. If Australia need
some motivation going into the match, they must remember that they have won their
test match at Johannesburg each time on their four previous tours, dating back
to 1997. Jacques Kallis has a strong record at the ground, being the only batsman
with over 1000 test runs.
The match may witness frequent rain interruptions with short thundershowers expected
through the next seven days. One would like to think that South Africa will go
into the game as favourites but Australia can be trusted to bounce back
from the loss and fight back rather well in the second Test match.
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