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| Australia and South Africa come face to face tomorrow at the WACA, in what could be a potentially explosive contest that could well determine which is the best Test team in the world. Australia always have had the edge over the Proteas but this time it promises to be a cracker of a contest. | |
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| Smith and Co will be confident going in to this series with no Warne or Mcgrath to open up old scars. They are a vastly improved side than they were two summers ago. They've not lost a series since July 2006 and have had a good year so far. They have beaten England in England, drawn a series in India - which the Aussies have failed to achieve and this side according to Smith believes can go all the way in toppling the Aussies from their perch. | |
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| The confidence that Smith possesses in his young side, mainly stems from the fact he has probably the best batting lineup along with India in world cricket at the moment. Also his bowling attack has come a long way with the indefatigable Ntini leading the pack along with the fiery Dale Steyn who is now in red hot form, well complemented by the tall Morne Morkel and left arm spinner Paul Harris who can on his day can run through any opposition. | |
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| On the other hand the Aussies have their own worries, their batting is in shambles with the ever reliable Matthew Hayden in woeful form, while Ponting is going through a lean patch and we never know how the temperamental Andrew Symonds will turn up on the day of a match, that leaves only Hussey, the much improved Katich and Michael Clarke to to do the bulk of the scoring. | |
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| Coming to their bowling the Aussies will look to Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson to wreak havoc on the Proteas as Jason Krejza and Peter Siddle are just playing their second Test match and do not have much experience in International cricket. | |
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| So it promises to be a fascinating contest between the top two sides in world cricket and as they say "let the battle begin". | |
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| Team news:Australia have included off-spinner Jason Krejza in their side and named pace-bowling all-rounder Shane Watson as 12th man for Wednesday's first Test against South Africa at the WACA. | |
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| Victorian quick Peter Siddle will play his second Test and first in Australia after making his debut in India in October. Siddle comes into the side for paceman Stuart Clark, who had successful elbow surgery in Sydney on Monday and remains hopeful of being available for the tour of South Africa in February. | |
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| For the Proteas Mark Boucher is expected to be fit after suffering a minor niggle and the only bone of contention would be whether Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who impressed in both tour matches, would be making his Test debut. That seems unlikely as Paul Harris seems likely to hold on to his place as the only frontline spinner. | |
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| Pitch conditions: According to the curator of the WACA Cameron Sutherland this time the wicket will have a fair amount of pace and carry unlike last year when it did not behave as expected and India went on to clinch a famous victory. | |
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| Teams: | |
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| Australia (From): Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting(c), Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin(w), Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson, Stuart Clark | |
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| South Africa (From): Graeme Smith(c), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher(w), Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Jean-Paul Duminy, Robin Peterson, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Monde Zondeki Australia vs South Africa 1st Test live streaming |
