Australia and South Africa will resume hostilities when the Third Test begins in Cape Town this week. The Proteas have been buoyed by the news that Kagiso Rabada has been cleared to play, after successfully appealing his two-match ban.
South Africa will be thrilled to have their star man back in the side after coming off the back of an eleven-wicket performance that kept the Proteas in the series.
With the Test Series delicately poised at 1-1, the Aussies will need to show some major improvement against the swinging ball, with the Aussie top order failing to fire across the last four innings and none of the top six hitting a century.
Australia have named an unchanged side for the Test with Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc both overcoming an injury cloud and training strongly this week.
Australia have some mixed memories of this ground having been bundled out for 47 in 2011 and then clinching a series in 2014 with Ryan Harris bowling the side to victory on one leg. If the Aussies can fire with the bat, then it could make for an interesting Test Match with plenty of feeling from both sides.
Win-Draw-Win
After comfortably accounting for Australia in the second game of the series, South Africa have the momentum heading into the Third Test.
The Australian top order will be wary of the threat posed by South African paceman Veron Philander in Cape Town.
While the focus this week has been on the controversial inclusion of Kagiso Rabada, Philander’s record at the picturesque ground is equally as impressive. Philander has taken 47 wickets at the foot of Table Mountain, at an average of 16.43 and includes a career-best haul of 6/42 against India in January.
Australia clinched their last series against the Proteas at this ground in 2014 after a home Ashes whitewash. The Aussies are slight underdogs heading into this match, but if the Aussie top order can fire with a big first innings score then they’ll be hard to beat with one of the best bowling units in world cricket.
Steve Smith and David Warner are two members of the top order who need to find runs. The Australia skipper has struggled to combat the left arm spinner and Warner has been weighed down by off-field controversy. Smith has a history of shining in the face of adversity and the Aussie skipper will be determined to prove why he is considered the best batsman in the world
Tip: Australia to win ($2.30)
Runscorer Markets
Australia
Australia struggled in the first innings of the Second Test after a poor performance with the willow setting up a relatively easy victory for the Proteas. The Australian top order has failed to register a century with Mitchell Marsh leading the run scoring charts for the Aussies.
Usman Khawaja ($5.75) was unconvincing in the Second Test scratching his way to 75 in the second innings of a disappointing effort by the Aussies. Steve Smith ($3.40) remains the mainstay of the Australian top order and the Aussie skipper has a had a relatively lean series by his lofty standards.
Mitchell Marsh ($9) has been in phenomenal form since his return to Test cricket against England. The Aussie all-rounder has hit two centuries and a 96 in the First Test match. Marsh has shown the ability to combat the swinging ball at pace and is starting to look the part of a top-six Test batsman.
Tip: Mitchell Marsh ($9)
South Africa
AB de Villers ($3.75) proved to be the difference in the Second Test with a brilliant inning of 126*. The veteran has compiled 225 runs at an average of 112.5 across the first two matches of the series and looms at the key man for the Proteas in the Third Test.
Faf du Plessis ($6.50) has been consistent against the Australian pace attack in the past and is due for a major contribution in the series. Dean Elgar ($5.75) will be looking to replicate the form that made him the leading run scorer against India earlier this year and if Elgar can negate the threat of Nathan Lyon, then the Proteas will be on track for a big first innings lead.
Tip: AB de Villers ($3.75)
Player of the Match
Australia will be determined to address the batting issues that plagued them in the Second Test. If Steve Smith can fire with the bat, then Mitchell Starc will be primed to do some damage with the ball.
The Aussie left-arm paceman is key to Australia achieving a positive result in this clash. Starc picked up nine wickets in the First Test and will be looking to exploit the conditions at Newlands with a reverse swing masterclass.
Tip: Back Mitchell Starc to be Player of the Match ($7)