South Africa vs Australia Preview & Prediction | 1st Test
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Following an ODI series won by the hosts, South Africa and Australia now turn their attentions to red ball cricket with the first of three test matches.
Date/time:
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
Weather: Plenty of sunshine throughout the five days with temperatures sitting in the mid-twenties.
How to watch: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Willow TV
Who will win this first test match?
Open poll and resultsSouth Africa vs Australia prediction
You would expect a high scoring first test in South Africa between these two sides. We saw plenty of runs across the ODI series and conditions are likely to prove excellent for batting once again. However, the Proteas naming two spinners in their line-up suggests that they expect the pitch to disintegrate as the days go on and accept turn.
Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and fellow pacer Anrich Nortje will play for South Africa. Meanwhile, an abdominal strain rules out Australia’s Cameron Green and could open the door for Cooper Connolly to play having impressed hugely for the tourists in white ball cricket. But when taking into account the prospect of spin-bowling being a huge factor in this first test, Nathan Lyon is the player we’re shining a spotlight on.
At 38-years-old, Lyon remains one of the best spinners in the world when it comes to test match cricket and any sort of assistance makes him an absolute menace against the South African batters. Therefore, back Lyon to take over 4.5 match wickets for Australia.
South Africa vs Australia tip: Nathan Lyon to take over 4.5 match wickets
