Preview by Gokul Gopal

Nov 9: Lack of match practice might play a big role for some of the members of the South African team as the home side gears up to face Australia in the first of a two-Test series, starting at Newlands, Capetown. On the other hand, the Australians have tasted success in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka and would be confident going up against the Proteas.

Head to Head: Australia have a better success rate against South Africa while playing in the African country. Off 45 matches, Australia have won 25 while the home team have been victors on 11 occasions. 9 matches were drawn. Taking series wins into account, Australia have won 9 series while South Africa have been victorious in only 2 and one series was drawn.

South Africa: The home team have not been at their best so far in the series. They managed to square the T20I series 1-1 before ending up losing the ODIs 1-2 to Australia. South Africa have hardly played any Test cricket, their last match being the final Test against India in January. Among the batsmen, the likes of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers have also not played any first-class cricket since the India Test and might find it tough to adjust to the 5-day format after such a long gap. But these are quality players and with the ever-consistent Hashim Amla and also Ashwell Prince to boost the batting, South Africa cannot be taken lightly by the tourists.

In the bowling department, Dale Steyn will be the spearhead along with Morne Morkel while the left-arm seam of Lonwabo Tsotsobe will also be an added advantage for the home team. As far as spin goes, South Africa are likely to give the talented leggie Imran Tahir a debut game. Overall, South Africa have a balanced line-up but they need to make that count, given their inconsistent form in the recently concluded ODIs.

Australia: The tourists, led by Michael Clarke, go into the Test series as a confident unit following the ODI series win and also the victory in the 4-day tour match against South Africa A. The likes of Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Clarke and Michael Hussey were amongst the runs against the A team and made most of the opportunity to fine tune their batting skills. Meanwhile, the focus will be on Ricky Ponting. The former Australian skipper did well during the limited overs game and he will be looking to extend his form to the Test area and improve his not so impressive record in the longer version of the game in recent times. The tourists will also be worried about the form of Phil Hughes, with the opener failing in the tour match. On paper, the Australians have a strong batting order but they need to deliver, going up against a quality attack that South Africa possess.

As far as the bowling is concerned, Mitchell Johnson has been in good wicket taking form, and the nine wickets he took in the match against South Africa A will give him a lot of confidence. The return of Ryan Harris has boosted the bowling resources of the Australian team. The right-handed pacer is back to full fitness after suffering a hamstring injury in September during the tour of Sri Lanka. Australia also have the services of Shane Watson in the pace department while Nathan Lyon's spin bowling could also prove to be handy.

Team News:

South Africa would be happy with the return of AB de Villiers and his presence gives the batting order a settled look. Opener Jacques Rudolph, who last played a Test match in 2006, returns after a gap of five years and will be eager to make his presence felt. The Proteas named two spinners in their squad and it is expected that Imran Tahir will play the match ahead of Paul Harris, unless the home team decide to employ two spin bowlers. Vernon Philander will also be fighting for a spot in the eleven along with Tsotsobe for the third seamer's slot.

Australia will not be tinkering with the batting line-up and are likely to go in with their regular order comprising of Hughes, Watson, Marsh, Ponting, Clarke and Hussey followed by Haddin. The team think-tank will mainly ponder over the third seamer's slot. Peter Siddle, who bowled well in the practice match, will be fighting for a place with Copeland while there is also the possibility of a debut game for teenage fast bowler Pat Cummins.

Quotes:

Australia are better prepared than us, and there's no point hiding away from that. We've got to find a way to make sure we're ready to compete come day one: Graeme Smith

We take a lot of confidence out of our last tour to Sri Lanka, winning the one-day series (against SA) then playing in a pretty competitive practice match the other day: Michael Clarke

Teams:

South Africa (From): Graeme Smith(c), Jacques Rudolph, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher(w), Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Jean-Paul Duminy, Paul Harris, Vernon Philander

Australia (From): Michael Clarke(c), Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin(w), Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Michael Beer, Trent Copeland, Usman Khawaja