Australia enters the fourth Test with their reputation in tatters thanks to the actions of their Captain in the Third Test. Steve Smith openly admitted to going against the spirit of the game by forcing Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the ball and the repercussions have been swift.
Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have all been sent home from the tour of South Africa in disgrace. Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell have been flown in as emergency replacements as the Aussies struggle to regroup from one of the darkest days in their history.
South Africa dominated Australia in Cape Town and the Aussies will need a massive change in fortunes to avoid losing the series 3-1.
Win-Draw-Win
It’s hard to believe that Australia won the First Test Match of the series, considering the events that transpired in Cape Town. Tim Paine has assumed the leadership duties in what remains one of the darkest days in Australian cricket history.
The Aussies were comprehensively outplayed by the Proteas in the Third Test. Nathan Lyon was able to claim his 300th wicket in Cape Town and became the most successful off-spinner in Australian cricket history. Lyon’s performance was one the highlight for the Aussie team in a terrible match for the Australians.
The Proteas were outstanding with a ruthless performance with both the bat and the ball in the Third Test. Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers put the Aussies to the sword with the bat and Morne Morkel did the damage with the ball.
With the turmoil that has engulfed the Australian cricket team, South Africa are in pole position to take advantage and register their first series win against Australia at home.
Tip: South Africa to win ($1.50)
Runscorer Markets
Australia
Australia has been ordinary with the bat this series, with none of the top-six batsmen failing to register a century. The Aussies collapsed in the second innings and had no answer to the pace of Kagiso Rabada.
A few members of the Australian team will be playing for their long-term futures when the Test commences, and Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja will need a big score in the absence of Steve Smith.
Mitchell Marsh remains to be the best performing batsman in the side and with a top score of 96 this series, the big all-rounder looks to have guaranteed his place in the side for the foreseeable future.
Tip: Back Mitchell Marsh to be the top scorer for Australia ($7.50)
South Africa
The Proteas would have been buoyed by the performance of Dean Elgar in the Third Test, with the opener hitting a century in South Africa’s first innings. Elgar equalled a world record by carrying his bat through the innings for the third time and joined West Indies opener Desmond Haynes as the only other player in the history of the game to achieve the feat.
AB de Villers has equally had the measure of Australia’s much vaunted bowling attack and the Proteas superstar will be hungry for runs, as the Aussies are looking for a much-needed win to tie the series.
De Villers is the leading run-scorer in the series and has been one of the players that have made a huge difference after South Africa suffered a loss in the opening test of the series.
Tip: Back AB de Villers to be the top scorer for South Africa ($3.75)
Player of the Match
South Africa are red hot favourites to take advantage of Australia’s turmoil and close out the Test series with a commanding victory.
Kagiso Rabada cemented his place as the number one bowler in the world with a powerful performance in the Second Test. The South African opening bowler collect eleven wickets and has troubled Australia’s batting line-up from the first ball of the series. The quick bowler is good value in the marketplace to add to his wicket tally and claim man of the match honours.
AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel are two players who could emerge as a chance for the man of the match. De Villers has returned to his devastating best with the bat and Morkel turned back the clock in claiming nine wickets in the Third Test Match in Cape Town.
Tip: Back Kagiso Rabada to be Player of the Match ($6)