South Africa will host Australia in a three-match Test series starting in Durban on Friday, marking the first Test between the two teams since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Australia is looking to recover from a recent loss to Bangladesh, while South Africa aims to build on their success after winning the World Test Championship final last year.
The incident in March 2018, where Australian players used sandpaper to alter the ball's condition, resulted in significant repercussions for the team, including suspensions for captain Steve Smith and others involved. While the scandal remains a topic of discussion, it has received less media attention in South Africa compared to Australia.
The pitch at Kingsmead is expected to favor spin bowlers, a shift from South Africa’s typical seam-friendly conditions. South Africa may rest bowler Kagiso Rabada as he recovers from injury, and they have options for their number three batsman, including a potential debut for Marques Ackerman.
Australia, coming off a surprising home defeat, is also facing challenges with injuries to key players, opening opportunities for others like Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson, who has returned to the squad after a long absence due to health issues.
Travis Head, an opener for Australia, criticized former players for their harsh assessments of the current team, particularly regarding the selection of Maddinson. He expressed that the current group is capable of handling criticism and emphasized the need for experienced players in the Test format.
Allan Border, a former captain, suggested that Head might be better suited to bat lower in the order against South Africa's bowlers. Meanwhile, Steve Smith reflected on the lasting impact of the scandal on his career, admitting to experiencing anxiety related to the incident but noting his successful comeback since then.
As Australia prepares for the series, Smith remains focused on performing well despite the potential for a hostile reception from South African crowds, drawing on his past experiences in similar situations.