Both teams are in good form. Australia have won four matches out of thier last five matches. They defeated Sri Lanka in two matches series and India before that in two matches. They also played a draw againt India in their last five matches.
South Africa are in even better form in test matches. They have won all of their last five matches. They defeated Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh to make it into the finals of WTC for the first time in their test history. This could be the best opportunity for South Africa to win a trophy. They reached the finals of T20 WC 2024 and semi-finals of both 2023 WC and 2025 Champions trophy. They will be very keen to add a trophy to their cabinet.
The Lord’s pitch is considered to be balanced for Test matches. The first two days are quite good for batting—the ball comes on well and it is easy to score runs.
From the third day onwards, the pitch starts to slow down, and spinners begin to come into play. Chasing in the fourth innings becomes a bit tough as the pitch starts to produce uneven bounce.
Out of a total of 147 Test matches held here, the team batting first has won 53 times, while the team batting second has won 43 times. 51 matches have been drawn. The average first-innings score is 310, while in the fourth innings, it drops to just 157. So, the team winning the toss will likely prefer to bat first.
These two teams hold a strong rivalry in Test matches. They have played a total of 101 Test matches against each other, including one of the most dramatic and scandalous Test matches in cricket history, famously known as the Sandpaper Test. Three Australian players were found guilty of ball tampering with sandpaper and were handed bans from cricket. The AUS vs SA head to head record shows that Australia has always dominated South Africa in Tests, having won 54 out of the 101 matches played between the two sides.
Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Injury Update: None
Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreyne (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson
Injury Updates: None
Smith has scored 128 runs off 262 balls against Rabada and has been dismissed 4 times. Rabada has clearly controlled Smith, as his strike rate is just 48.9 and his average is only 32.
Bavuma has faced 118 balls from Hazlewood and scored just 46 runs, getting out twice. Hazlewood has completely dominated Bavuma, with a strike rate of just 39.
Markram has scored 90 runs off 123 balls against Cummins but has been dismissed 4 times. Cummins holds the upper hand, with Markram averaging just 22.5 and struggling against him.
Steven Smith is a Test legend for Australia, and his presence in the team is one of the biggest positives. He has scored 10,271 Test runs in 116 matches at an average of 57. He has the second-most hundreds for Australia after Ricky Ponting. Steven Smith is in sublime form recently, having scored four hundreds in his last 10 Test innings. Three of those centuries were scores of more than 130 runs. He is one of the greatest Test players Australia has ever produced. Steven Smith is also the leading run-scorer against South Africa, with 854 runs in 21 innings and a best of 104 not out.
Hazlewood has always made an impact in Test cricket with his tight line and disciplined bowling. Against India, he took 5 wickets in one match and 2 wickets in the second innings. Against the West Indies, he also delivered deadly spells like 5 for 38. His economy rate is almost always around 2. His line and length can be trusted in Test matches—he maintains pressure and takes big wickets without giving away many runs.
Markram has shown slightly inconsistent form in recent Test matches, but when he scores, he looks in good touch. Against Pakistan, he played two solid innings of 89 and 37. He also scored useful knocks of 55 and 47 against Sri Lanka. His attacking style gives the team a fast start at the top of the order. Against India, he scored a century of 106 in just 103 balls, which shows that he can set the tempo of the match if the pitch suits him.
When Rabada is in rhythm, it becomes difficult for any batsman to face him. Against England, he once took 7 wickets and 5 wickets in another match. His pace and bounce make him dangerous. Against India, his impact was limited in some innings, but when he gets support from the pitch, he can change the entire flow of the match. In Test cricket, his wicket-taking ability always makes him a major threat.
Rickelton has proved his mettle in Test cricket. His knock of 259 runs against Pakistan was historic, where he faced 343 balls. Before that, he also made 101 against Sri Lanka. He holds his position in the middle order for long periods and scores with patience. His consistency is also improving. If the top order collapses early, Rickelton can take control of the match and score big for the team.
Marnus has struggled in some recent innings, but his middle-order knocks have been strong. Against India, he scored back-to-back 72 and 70, and he also played a big innings of 90 against New Zealand. When he gets into rhythm, he tires out the bowlers. He has a strong defensive technique and plays confidently against spin. If he settles in, he can turn the match around by spending time at the crease.
David Bedingham is a quality player, but his performance in international Test matches has not been up to the mark. His last ten Test innings include one hundred and two half-centuries. His caliber will be tested against top Australian bowlers like Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc. More importantly, this match is at Lord’s, which will support bowlers more than batters.
This match will be played at the home of cricket, Lord’s in London, which offers less support for spinners. Nathan Lyon is a great spinner and will be tested against South Africa. South Africa don’t have enough left-handers to support Nathan Lyon’s bowling either. You can take a risk by dropping him from your team, but this is a risky decision.
Keeper: Alex Carey, Ryan Rickelton
Batters: Steven Smith, Travis Head, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram
All-rounders: Marco Jansen
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
Keeper: Alex Carey, Ryan Rickelton
Batters: Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Tristian Stubbs
All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
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