AUS vs SA 1st Test: At The Gabba, a matchup between top-ranked teams in the WTC Table is scheduled to take place: Australia versus South Africa in the first test. In the first test, which will take place on Saturday, the home team will compete against South Africa (December 17). This riveting three-match test series will pit the two teams that finished first and second, respectively, in the World Test Championship (WTC).

The hosts now hold the top slot in the WTC points system, while South Africa is currently in the second spot in the table. Recent results versus West Indies at the hosts’ venue resulted in a resounding victory for the hosts, who prevailed by a score of 2-0.

AUS vs SA 1^st Test: Match Details

Match: AUS vs SA, 1^st test, South Africa tour of Australia, 2022-23

Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022

Time: 5.50 AM  

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

AUS vs SA 1^st Test: Overview

Australia

Australia defeated West Indies 2-0 in a comfortable victory to open off their home Test season in style. With a PCT of 75%, they solidified their position atop the ICC World Test Championship. This year, they have played a total of 9 Test matches, winning 5 of them. While Travis Head appears to be in good form in the middle order after hitting a century and a half-century in his past three outings, Marnus Labuschagne is at the height of his powers after scoring more than 500 runs in the last two games.

Josh Hazlewood, a seasoned pacer, will miss the opening game owing to injury, but the bowling staff is stronger thanks to Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and top spinner Nathan Lyon. Given that David Warner managed to score 102 runs in the last 4 innings, there is some cause for concern regarding his performance.

South Africa

South Africa, which has won the last three series here, has had more success than any other team in the longest format on Australian soil. The team, led by Dean Elgar, is prepared to continue the tradition. In their prior Test series against England, they were defeated 2-1.

With bowlers like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen, they have a deadly fast bowling unit. As the only spinner, Keshav Maharaj will play a supporting role. The addition of Temba Bavuma will improve the batting. The No. 5 position is up for grabs between Theunis de Bruyn and Khaya Zondo. With a PCT of 60%, they are ranked second in the ICC World Test Championship standings.

AUS vs SA 1^st Test: Probable Playing XI

Australia

Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Scott Boland

South Africa

Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dean Elgar, Saral Erwee, Khaya Zondo/ Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Gerald Coetzee/ Marco Jansen

AUS vs SA 1^st Test: Pitch prediction

It is widely considered to be one of the top sporting wickets in all of Australia, particularly for the game’s longest format. Over the course of all five days of the match, it provides a significant amount of assistance for the seamers. The hitters need to get themselves mentally prepared to take the chin music. An advantageous choice would be to bat first.

AUS vs SA 1^st Test: Pre-play prediction

Top batter: Marnus Labuschagne (AUS), Rassie Van der Dussen (SA)

Best bowler: Mitchell Starc (AUS), Anrich Nortje (SA)

Best all-rounder: Steven Smith (AUS), Marco Jansen (SA)

Player of the match: Marcus Labuschagne (AUS)

AUS vs SA 1^st Test: Match prediction

Australia is in a solid position heading into this match since they have the advantage of playing at home, have a powerful and in-form batting lineup, and have a consistent and reliable pace attack. The competition will, without a shadow of a doubt, provide the most difficult test for Australia to face while playing at home this summer.

The Proteas have a formidable bowling assault and a batting group that shows a lot of promise. Despite this, Australia is in a strong position to win the first test due to its current record as well as the overall strength of its squad.

Conclusion