Australia and South Africa meet each other in the first Test of a three-match series at the WACA in Perth. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the first day of this first Test from 1:30pm AEDT.
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The series promises to be hard-fought between two sides that have in their ranks bowlers of good pace and skill as well as batsmen of the highest quality.
The big question, however, is whether the surface at the WACA in Perth will allow for an even contest between the bat and the ball.
Both countries have been ranked at No.1 in Test cricket by the ICC during the course of the past 12 months.
The Proteas were knocked off of top spot by their home defeat to England early in the year and are now ranked fifth.
Australia lost their place at the top of the ladder following their 0-3 whitewash in Sri Lanka, and now find themselves behind India and Pakistan at the third spot.
Prior to the humbling in Sri Lanka, Australia had won three straight series, at home and away against New Zealand, and at home to the West Indies, without having lost a single Test. They were expected to be in some fight against the inexperienced Sri Lankan side away from home but fell away rather shockingly to the hosts.
Since their loss to England, South Africa have played just a single series, beating New Zealand at home 1-0 in a two-Test series. That said, they did pummel the Aussie side in an ODI series at home, and will bring with them a lot of confidence going into this series.
Quite amazingly, given the advantage that playing at home in Test matches normally provides, none of the last six series between Australia and South Africa has ended in a victory for the home nation.
The last time that Australia won a series on their own soil against the Proteas was a decade ago in the 2005-06 season, when they claimed a 2-0 success. Since then they have been beaten 1-2 in 2008-09 and 0-1 in 2012-13.
The series-winning victory in the most recent series in Australia between the teams came at the WACA, when the Proteas crushed their hosts by 309 runs inside four days.
Australia have named their playing XI with surprise pick Joe Mennie missing out. South Africa will look at the surface and decide on their XI at the toss but might look at including one frontline spinner in the line-up.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the first day of this first Test from 1:30pm AEDT.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Now last year with New Zealand the disappointment was the underdone Southee and Boult who were far from their best for a couple of reasons. At this point - the South Africans have been able to leave Morkel out (underdone) and have simply not bowled well. Steyn, Rabada and whomever else should, if bowling well, provide a contest. At least the pitch wasn't an absolute road. Australia bowled pretty well early and between the 3 key quicks to have South Africa 4-30 was good reward. Their batting sans AB is shown to be exposed at the top with Cook and Elgar. Duminy at #4 with avg of 32 and no test hundred since Jul 2014 is example enough of the top order vulnerability. Faf himself only averages 42 but comes off an unbeaten century in his last test outing. Amla is the man, age 33 and avg 51 he is the key man still but was caught out by the bounce perhaps yesterday. A lot will be told by how South Africa respond in the morning session. Need to bowl with greater discipline. That said - had Philander not overstepped then the wicket of Warner at that point, with Marsh unable to buy a run at the other - sliding doors moment - could have easily had Australia in early trouble and finish the day even.
Brojen-hearted Toy
Guest
Good catching makes SUCH a difference. The catching in Sri Lanka was awful at times.
Alex
Guest
Why do you think Morkel should be picked ahead of Philander?
Nudge
Guest
Yep spot on Ronan.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
A lot of people, including plenty of Roarers, have been tipping South Africa to win this Test and the series. Yet if Australia now win this Test comfortably watch how quickly South Africa will be reimagined as woeful opposition and the win as hollow. This happened last year when NZ went from being a highly-touted team who were a big chance to beat Australia (pre-series) to suddenly being re-imagined as useless opposition once Australia had trounced them home and away.
Rob
Guest
What a difference a good bowling attack makes. Starc is a high class bowler at the peak of his powers and the Australians got it done in the field. The batsmen just need to follow suit and put the foot firmly on the South African's throat now.
jameswm
Roar Guru
True, the influence of Chris Rogers on Warner's test career can't be overstated.
Nudge
Guest
I'm probably getting a bit carried away mate. Just reckon he showed a huge amount of courage to get through. Certainly wasn't as impressive as Warner but not far off as being as important
Spongebob
Guest
Back home and we're now world beaters again. Clearly the solution to becoming the number one team is to simply play all our games here. How long will it take CA to figure it out?
Spongebob
Guest
Phew thankfully they've sorted out that discrimination, otherwise they'd be picking players purely on talent.
doogs
Guest
Brilliant day for the Aussies. Home ground advantage is huge and SA looked much better pitching up. Perth tempts the visiting teams into banging it in short. SA milked a lot of runs bowling like that.
doogs
Guest
True. Warner was imperious this afternoon. He averages over a hundred here in Perth now. Some Roarers were laying into him to fail. I could not work that out given his record against SA. Not sure why, but each to their own. Warner the standout but credit to Marsh for really gutsing it out. Steyn was softening him up big-time but he weathered it. Great day for the Aussies.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah you have to batte through those periods. Wouldn't say as much credit as Waner though Nudge.
Nudge
Guest
Shaun Marsh deserves as much credit as David Warner for Australia's position. He looked woeful in his first 30 balls looking like he could get out every ball. Really touched it out which he wouldn't have done 3 years ago. His last 30 balls he looked in great nick
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
First it was Mitchell Starc and co. and then it was the turn of David Warner and, to an extent, Shaun Marsh to take the game far, far away from South Africa. South Africa did recover well from 4/32 to post 242 but they wouldn't have imagined this kind of riposte from Warner despite all his previous exploits. The pitch had something in it for the speedsters but Dale Steyn overdid the bouncer and Vernon Philander got the wicket of Warner off a no-ball. After Marsh overcame his initial problems, the opening pair made merry, or rather Warner made merry while Marsh was the more silent of the two batsmen. South Africa are left with a mountain to climb and they will need to come out fighting harder tomorrow. Restrict the now highly-probable Aussie lead. That's it from me, will be back tomorrow with the second day. Good day.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
That is an amazingly dominant day for Australia against quality opposition. Proteas in the muck here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jeez what a day for the Aussies. Could be a long day in the field tomorrow for South Africa. Cheers Suneer.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And that is the end of that, end of the first day's play with Australia have taken the game right away from South Africa. Australia 0/105 in 21.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And four more to bring up the Aussie 100. Pitched right up to the bat and Warner has leaned in and crashed it through the covers for a four. Warner makes it the third four of the over as he leans back and guides it through short third-man. 0/105 in the 21st
Peter
Roar Rookie
Sri Lanka, but a fading memory