South Africa and Australia will lock horns in the four-match Test Series in South Africa that is scheduled to begin on March 1. The Proteas have never beaten the Australian side at their home (South Africa) since their readmission in Cricket. This series will serve a perfect opportunity for the home team to better that record.

Both South Africa and Australia have been involved in an intense rivalry in recent years, with no side showing any signs of backing down. After a win against India in the Test series, the Proteas would be looking to carry forward their stupendous performances against Australia team, in the ‘whites’.

Australia would be banking heavily on their pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc. The trio took a total of 13 wickets in their warm-up match against South Africa A side. Under the leadership of Steven Smith, and with David Warner his deputy, the Australian side will look to keep their unbeaten track record in South Africa intact.

The South African squad will be bolstered by the return of captain Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, and AB de Villers – all who were injured and participated in parts against India, recently. Heinrich Klaasen was a surprise inclusion in the Test side; riding high on his performances in limited-overs fixtures against India.

Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Duanne Olivier missed out in the Test squad. Dale Steyn, who injured himself in the First Test against the visiting Indian side, was left out of the squad too. Fast bowler Morne Morkel has announced retirement from International Cricket after the end of this four-match Test series.

The teams will be playing four Test matches, with the first one beginning on March 1, at Kingsmead in Durban. The South African team management has asked the ground authorities to prepare ‘slower’ pitches, as against India, where they had asked for ‘green-tops’.

Full Schedule of Australia’s Test Tour to South Africa in 2018:

Sr. No# Date Teams Stadium Place Time
1 March 1 – March 5 South Africa vs Australia Kingsmead Durban 08:00 (GMT)

13:30 (IST)
2 March 9 – March 13 South Africa vs Australia St. George’s Park Port Elizabeth 08:00 (GMT)

13:30 (IST)
3 March 22 – March 26 South Africa vs Australia Newlands Cape Town 08:00 (GMT)

13:30 (IST)
4 March 30 – April 03 South Africa vs Australia New Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg 08:00 (GMT)

13:30 (IST)

Full South Africa Test Squad:

Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Vernon Philander, and Kagiso Rabada.

Full Australia Test Squad:

Steven Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, and Mitchell Starc.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 27, 2018 12:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).