South Africa vs Australia 3rd test is all in readiness to commence on the 22nd of March. After 2 pulsating finishes, the action moves to Newlands, Capetown where the two teams will battle it out yet again.
Australia were completely outplayed in the 2nd test, thanks to two outstanding spells of fast bowling from Kagiso Rabada. The 22-year old pacer ran through the Aussie batting line-up eventually ending up with figures of 11/150. The series is now level at 1-1 with two more test matches left.
VENUE: NEWLANDS, CAPETOWN.
PITCH CONDITIONS
Report: The Capetown turf has always assisted the pacers but does offer good value for quality strokes. The ground is situated at the foot of the Table Mountains, hence the ball travels farther.
STATS AT NEWLANDS
| Total Matches |
55 |
| Matches won batting first |
21 |
| Matches won batting second |
23 |
| Average 1st innings score |
332 |
| Average 2nd innings score |
296 |
| Average 3rd innings score |
229 |
| Average 4th innings score |
163 |
| Highest total recorded |
651 by SA vs AUS |
| Lowest total recorded |
35 by SA vs ENG |
HEAD-TO-HEAD
South Africa have beaten the Aussies only 24 times in the 96 tests played between them. Australia have won 52.
HEAD-TO-HEAD IN SOUTH AFRICA
| PLAYED |
52 |
| SOUTH AFRICA |
14 |
| AUSTRALIA |
29 |
| DRAW |
9 |
TEAM NEWS
The 2-match ban on Kagiso Rabada has been lifted. The pacer was penalised with 3 demerit points after his on-field behaviour in the second test. However, after a successful appeal from CSA, Rabada’s ban has been called-off and the demerits points have been reduced to one. Rabada is certain to feature in the playing XI in the third test.
Australia are likely to walk in with the same eleven.
SQUADS
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis(c), Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock(w), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungisani Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen, Chris Morris, Morne Morkel, Willem Mulder.
Australia: Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine(w), Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Handscomb, Jon Holland, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers
EXPECTED PLAYING XI
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
Australia: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Steve Smith hasn’t looked at his usual best in the 2 completed tests so far. Scores of 25, 11, 56 and 38 in his last four innings do not reflect the kind of form he’s been in in the last 12 months. Australia have a strong batting line-up but Steve Smith has always been the difference maker in dire situations. Smith has come good whenever Australia has needed him to pile up runs.
In the 3rd test against the likes of Ngidi, Rabada and Philander, Smith’s temperament will be tested yet again and he’s likely to score yet again.
AB de Villiers has played some of the most outrageous knocks in ODIs, but the South African legend has been one of their most prolific run-getters in the longest format also. De Villiers averages 50.66 in tests and is nearing the 9,000 run-mark. He was also one of the major contributors in the 2nd test victory. Moreover, his 126* was his first hundred in three years.
De Villiers would certainly like to consolidate on a positive start and he’ll be one man the Aussies would like to see the back of very early in the innings.
TIPS FOR FANFIGHT FANTASY TEAM
AB de Villiers and Steve Smith are a must. Smith has always performed in crunch situations and De Villiers can’t put a foot wrong. Both will cost you a major chunk of your credits, but they are the major game changers. Use them as captain and vice-captain respectively.
Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada are undoubtedly the best bowlers in test cricket. Rabada has been in a zone of his own and Starc can bowl those fiery deliveries at will.
The remaining budget lets you have Mitchell Marsh and Tim Paine. Marsh certainly isn’t a bad choice and Paine can prove handy with the bat.
FANFIGHT FANTASY TEAM FOR SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA 3RD TEST
PLAY FANTASY CRICKET AND FOOTBALL ON FANFIGHT. CREATE YOUR BEST 6 AND WIN REAL CASH. To participate in South Africa vs Australia 3rd test on FanFight click here
Join Fanfight & get Rs. 30 free on joining & Rs. 60 per referral.
WHO WILL WIN SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA 3RD TEST
Australia won the first test pretty comfortably and the Proteas delivered a knockout punch in the 2nd. Capetown is by no means the series decider but both teams would walk in to prove a point. Australia are yet to lose a series in the rainbow nation and their current squad has shown no signs of slowing down. However, Faf du Plessis and co, have some old scores to settle against the Aussies. It’ll be yet another cracker of a game between two heavyweights. In this fixture though, South Africa might marginally nudge the Aussies.
