Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first under scorching skies in the opening Test of the Test Series against South Africa at Kingsmead Stadium on Friday.
Despite a visible green tinge across the pitch on a hot Durban morning, the visiting side opted to set a first-innings total, taking on South Africa’s bowling unit early on day one.
The clash marks a highly anticipated return to South African soil for Australia, who are looking to avenge their recent defeat in last year’s World Test Championship final. Cummins acknowledged the history between the two sides while confirming a key change in the Australian line-up due to injury.
“They got the better of us a year ago in the Test Championship,” said Cummins at the toss.
“We haven’t been here in South Africa for a while, but we’re pretty excited. Cameron Green is injured so Nic Maddinson comes back in — he’s really settled where his game’s at. There’s been a bit of a lull the last six months and we can’t wait to get started.”
For South Africa, captain Temba Bavuma was comfortable taking the ball first, looking to capitalise on early morning movement generated by the grassy surface before the pitch bakes under the sun.
“Looks a nice wicket, but we’ll try to exploit whatever moisture is there,” Bavuma noted. “I think with our bowling attack, our twin spinners have added an extra dimension to our bowling attack, so if the conditions suit them, they can come into the game.”
With the surface offering early encouragement for the seamers and twin spinners waiting in the wings for the home side, Australia’s openers face a crucial opening session as the first Test of the series gets under way.
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.
Australia XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
