With the series delicately poised at 1-1, South Africa and Australia will ‘rub shoulders’ once again in the third Test at Cape Town starting on Thursday.
In a series which has been marred by plenty of on, and off-field drama, we look at the key talking points ahead of what promises to be another blockbuster.
RABADA’S RETURN
Much of the build up for the third Test has centered around Kagiso Rabada. The man-of-the-match in South Africa’s win at Port Elizabeth with an 11-wicket haul, the young pacer was subsequently suspended for the rest of the series after making physical contact with Australia skipper Steve Smith following his dismissal.
The Proteas’ camp’s decision to then appeal the charges has paid off with the 22-year-old being cleared to take part in the third Test. What will be more interesting though is the approach Rabada takes at Newlands. Will he continue in the same fiery vein in which he so clearly thrives in, or will he revert to a more subdued version of himself like in the opening Test, where he was largely ineffective?
Faf du Plessis will be relieved to have Rabada in his pace attack.
SMITH STOKES THE FIRE
The decision to overturn Rabada’s Level 2 charges, and subsequently his ban, has not gone down well will the visitors’ skipper. Smith was highly critical of the decision in his press conference on Wednesday, expressing his complete surprise at the outcome.
“The ICC have set the standard, haven’t they? There was clearly contact out in the middle. I certainly won’t be telling my bowlers to go out there and after you take a wicket go and get in their space. I don’t think that is on, and part of the game.” the Aussie skipper quipped.
The Australian also expressed his bewilderment at not being asked to give his version of events in the six-hour marathon appeal hearing. For now, there seems to be no end to the debate with both camps sticking to their guns.
The Australian skipper displayed his frustration with the decision.
AUSSIES GET STARC BOOST
While South Africa had been fretting over the availability of Rabada for the third Test, Australia were nursing huge concerns of their own in the pace department. Express pacer Mitchell Starc had suffered a groin strain in the defeat at Port Elizabeth and was a major doubt for Thursday’s encounter.
The tourists though, have been given good news in this regard with Starc all set to play, having overcome his niggles. The left-armer had only picked up the one wicket in the second Test but was extremely good in the opener where he finished with a nine-wicket haul in Australia’s 118-run win.
Starc’s availability means Australia’s ‘Fab Four’ attack of him, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon remains intact, with the side having won all but one match where they have played together in.
The speedster was back training in the nets to allay fears.
