Australia v South Africa, 1st Test, Perth - Preview
Australia is pinning its hopes on comeback man Mitchell Starc and familiar home pitches as it looks to halt a losing streak when its three-Test series against South Africa starts at the WACA Ground in Perth on Thursday (November 3).
Starc will wear a knee pad to protect deep cuts on his left leg and his condition will be closely monitored by medical staff after he collided with training equipment in September, needing 30 stitches.
He has been rushed back into action after Australia was whitewashed 3-0 in Sri Lanka in July-August to lose its top Test ranking, and went on to lose 5-0 in a One-Day International series in South Africa.
Steve Smith, the Australia captain, announced the playing XI on Wednesday, confirming that Peter Siddle and Usman Khawaja would be returning to the side. Siddle struggled with a back injury for most of the year -- his last Test was in February 2016 against New Zealand -- but proved his fitness in Victoria's Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania last week, taking 3 for 43.
Khawaja, dropped after a loss of form in Sri Lanka, replaces Moises Henriques from the team that lost the final Test in Sri Lanka, while Siddle comes in place of Jon Holland.
While South Africa is missing AB de Villiers, the captain, with an elbow injury, it has won its last two Test series in Australia, putting the home side under added pressure ahead of the series opener in Perth.
Much will depend on the potency of Starc, the left-arm spearhead, and improved resolution from its under-fire batsmen to turn the tables, starting with the Test series against South Africa followed by a further three Tests against Pakistan.
Starc, who has taken 115 wickets at 27.36 in his 28 Tests, said he was ready to lead Australia's attack even though he is still recovering from his accident and needs to re-dress the wound every day.
He sat out the ODIs in South Africa earlier this month and, along with Josh Hazlewood, his new-ball partner, offers Australia a strong bowling attack.
Australia's batsmen will also have to step up after struggling on spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka, with much focus on Smith, David Warner and Adam Voges.
Australia is ranked third behind India and Pakistan in Tests with South Africa at fifth after winning just two of its last 12 Tests. But South Africa has not lost in three Tests at the WACA Ground and is looking forward to setting the tone for the remainder of the series by winning again in Perth.
Steyn, who has taken 416 wickets in 84 Tests, once again stands as South Africa's chief bowling threat along with newcomer Rabada, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.
South Africa's batting still appears strong even without de Villiers. Hashim Amla (563 runs at 70.37), Temba Bavuma (332 runs at 66.4), Faf du Plessis (257 at 51.4), the stand-in captain, and Quinton de Kock (308 at 77) have all been in form this year.
Teams:
**Australia:**David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, John Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
**South Africa (from):**Faf du Plessis (capt), Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn.