Life under a new captain will begin the hard way for Australia, as they try to finish their tour of South Africa on a high note after a horrific week. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Day 1 from 7pm (AEDT).
The Aussies have had a tumultuous week, to put it lightly. It’s potentially the worst in the history of cricket in this country, with the fall out from the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town finally reaching it’s climax on Wednesday evening (AEST).
The end findings from Cricket Australia saw captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner suspended for 12 months, while Cameron Bancroft was given nine months.
It’s an extraordinary decision, and one that shakes the face of cricket around the world, yet, the remaining Aussie players have to get back up and play a Test with only a drawn series – one in which they can’t regain the trophy – on the line.
Replacing the trio for Australia are Queensland openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, as well as Victorian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, while wicketkeeper Tim Paine takes over the captaincy.
All three have international experience, which will help their cause, however, are entering a hostile environment which they haven’t had time to adapt to.
The other eight members of the Aussie team have been through hell this week and one would think the mind won’t be solely on cricket. Add to that the likelihood of a green wicket in Johannesburg and this has all the ingredients for a disaster.
When South Africa hosted India at the Wanderers earlier this year, only one of the four innings made it past 200, and with their pace attack in fine form, it could be ugly.
In Cape Town, Australia lost 10 for 50 in their second innings on the fourth day of the match. Morne Morkel bowled with aggression, pace and bounce to pick up plenty, while Kagiso Rabada was fast and Vernon Philander his usual accurate self.
The trio will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting a vulnerable batting order on a green top, while the batting line-up has also hit form over the last two Tests, with all of Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock making valuable contributions during the last one.
Prediction
Everything points to South Africa winning this in a canter. Really, for Australia to compete after the week they have had would be a minor miracle.
South Africa to win it comfortably.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Day 1 from 7pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 Australian Tour of South Africa. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back on Sunday for Day 3, but sure to join us at 7pm (AEDT) tonight for Day 2. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the day Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
STUMPS Short, wide, cut straight to the fielder and that'll do us for Day 1 in Johannesburg, two overs short of where we were supposed to be. It'll be interesting to see if anything comes out of that for Tim Paine in the next few days. Australia were shelled today, but on a pitch which didn't appear to be doing much, for the second time in a row, they have used the Day 1 post-tea session to get themselves back into it. Pat Cummins was the key man with the ball. The day belonged to Aiden Markram though, who scored 150. The South African opener was superb from start to finish in his innings and will now have a chance to build on that tommorrow.
Over: 88 South Africa: 6/313
anon
Roar Pro
South Africa well on top. Australia have little chance of winning. On this pitch Australia won't make more than 250.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Rob!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Shorter from Sayers, right on the line of fifth or sixth stump and de Kock gets in behind it, defending into tthe offside.
Over: 87.5 South Africa: 6/313
Rob
Guest
Good night Scotty. Great work.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fuller, into the pads and de Kock defends once more. Two balls for stumps.
Over: 87.4 South Africa: 6/313
Scott Pryde
Expert
De Kock defends another, angling into the pads from around the wicket now.
Over: 87.3 South Africa: 6/313
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR Poor ball from Sayers. He is into his 26th over and the speed gun drops below 120 now with a cut shot racing to the fence.
Over: 87.2 South Africa: 6/313
Scott Pryde
Expert
This will be the final one for the day. Sayers goes full and across, de Kock defending with a push to gully.
Over: 87.1 South Africa: 6/309
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bavuma plays it out and the Aussies, rushinng through it, will get one more over.
Over: 87 South Africa: 6/309
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bavuma caught reaching a bit here, but he sweeps and grabs two for it to fine leg.
Over: 86.5 South Africa: 6/309
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon starting around the wicket at de Kock. He looks to sweep and survives an LBW appeal which might have pitched outside the leg stump, then de Kock grabs a single.
Over: 86.2 South Africa: 6/307
Rob
Guest
Not out Gary. Your kidding yourself.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Still no Cummins. Nathan Lyon to bowl with a relatively new ball.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sayers pushes it up outside the off stump, gets a little bit of swing away and it's pushed to point. By my watch, right on four minutes. This could be it for the day.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bavuma defends another couple. Australia need to hustle here in hopes of getting an extra over in.
Over: 85.5 South Africa: 6/304
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ball into the stumps now from Sayers, but that's too full and Rabada works it around the corner for a couple.
Over: 85.3 South Africa: 6/304
Scott Pryde
Expert
Absolute survival mode now Seven minutes until stumps.
Over: 85.2 South Africa: 6/302