South Africa v Australia, Test series: All you need to know

Team news, fixtures, odds and how to follow the four-match Test series between the two Southern Hemisphere heavyweights in March

^{Head to head: Faf du Plessis and Steve Smith will lead the two sides}

The Cricketer answers all the nagging questions ahead of the 1st Test on 1-5 March...

So what’s going on?

Australia are fresh off a triumphant Ashes series and are third in the ICC Test rankings.

But South Africa have just won two out of three against the top Test team in the world - India - which makes this clash even more mouthwatering.

Where’s it taking place?

The first four-match Test series between South Africa and Australia since South Africa’s readmission will begin on March 1 in Durban. 

1st Test | Durban, March 1-5

2nd Test | Port Elizabeth, March 9-13

3rd Test | Cape Town, March 22-26

4th Test | Johannesburg, March 30-April 3

Who has the edge?

Home advantage may play a role this time around, but out of the last seven Test series between the two countries, the touring side has won six, with the 2011/12 series in South Africa ending in a draw. South Africa haven’t won a home series against Australia since before their banishment, although since 2008, Australia have won just seven away series out of nineteen.

South Africa and Australia last met in 2016 and the Proteas emerged as 2-1 winners in the three-match series in Australia.

^{Dale Steyn is set to miss the first two Tests}

Who’s in and who’s out?

Cricket South Africa is confident that Faf du Plessis, Vernon Philander, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock will all be fit in time for the first Test. But while that is welcome news for Proteas supporters, it is unlikely that Dale Steyn and Temba Bavuma will have recovered from injury in time for team selection later this week. Bavuma is currently sidelined with a fractured finger, but expected replacement Theunis de Bruyn has been in good form.

Steyn is even more of a concern. After 14 months without playing for South Africa, he returned against India and promptly picked up a heel injury in the first Test. As a result, the workload on Kagiso Rabada has been heavy and his performances will be key for the Proteas.

And for the Australia?

Jackson Bird drops back out of the squad and 21-year-old Jhye Richardson is in with a chance to make his Test debut. Richardson is a surprise inclusion, as the 5’10” fast bowler has played just six first-class matches to date. Jon Holland has been added to the squad as a second spinner, but with the exception of Port Elizabeth, the grounds are fast bowler friendly so Nathan Lyon is likely to be the only spinner to see action in the series. 

Australian squad:  Steve Smith*, David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc

^{Jhye Richardson is in contention for a Test debut}

So when does it all get going?

The first Test begins next Thursday at 8.00am UK time, and play will start at 8.00am for the second and third Tests as well. But you can sleep in for the fourth, as play doesn’t start until 9.00am.

Great. So how can I watch it in the UK?

Sky will have coverage of all four Tests matches, on either Sky Sports Cricket or Main Event.

What if I’m not a subscriber?

If you are not a Sky Sports subscriber then social media is going to be your best bet. There'll be updates and reaction on Twitter @TheCricketerMag and thecricketer.com.

Who’s favourite?

The hosts are 8/11 to win the cricket test matches courtesy of William Hill.

Australia are 5/2 to win away form home while the longest odds are for the four-match series to be drawn at 7/2. 

Thanks very much.

Anytime.

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