The Proteas will be left to chase the game if they don’t keep Steve Smith And Marnus Labuschagne out of the game as much as possible.
Smith and Labuschagne will be the prized wickets for the Proteas attack and pose a huge threat to South Africa’s hopes of a fourth successive series win downunder.
South Africa have kept Smith quiet in Test cricket in the past but they will note that since the last time they met, the Aussie batter has developed his game.
Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt acknowledged the importance of making batters play early in their innings.
“The key to most of the top six is the first 20 balls and to make them play,” he said.
“Steve has changed. He is not on the move anymore and he has got a good base now where he is not moving around the crease as much.
“I think it is going to be a good challenge for our boys. The boys are up for the challenge but the key is going to be that first 20 balls where we need to really make him play more.”
In nine Tests against South Africa, Smith has just one century to his name and his average of 41.53 against the Proteas is his lowest against another top Test nation.
The series will also be the first against the country of his birth for Labuschagne.
South Africa are likely to have a similar approach in the way they bowl to the two unorthodox middle order stalwarts.
Labuschagne piled on the runs at will against a wayward West Indies attack but his first meeting with South Africa holds many unknowns.
Marnus Labuschagne is a different gravy 🍜 | #AUSvsWI pic.twitter.com/lrze7rLtJk
— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) December 7, 2022
He has scored a Test hundred against every nation he has faced and will be determined to keep that up against the Proteas.
Separately Smith and Labuschagne could hurt South Africa, if together for any great length of time then you would expect the game to get well away from the Proteas.
It will be all out war in this series as the Proteas look to seal a place in the World Test Championship and get another one over on their bitter rivals.
