Maddinson front runner to replace Green | 02:37
Dane Heverin with Courtney Walsh from Fox SportsOctober 9th, 2026 6:00 am
The most anticipated Test series of the year is finally here.
The first Test in Durban between Australia and South Africa gets underway at 6.30pm AEDT on Friday night with the cricket world eagerly awaiting the reception the tourists’ receive in their first Test series in the Rainbow Nation since Sandpapergate in 2018.
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Australia and South Africa’s modern day rivalry has
Australia and South Africa’s modern day rivalry has shown the power of scarcity in sport.
The two sides may have played white-ball contests somewhat frequently, but they have only faced off in four Test matches in the last eight years.
Tensions have been brewing between the two great sporting rivals with Australia pulling out of a Test tour of South Africa in 2021 due to concerns raised by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia winning another World Cup semi-final between the two teams and the Proteas claiming last year’s World Test Championship final.
Sandpapergate has certainly not been forgotten, but unlike
Sandpapergate has certainly not been forgotten, but unlike 2018, hopefully scandal will not overshadow a series that promises to be of the highest quality.
There will almost certainly be spot fires, while Australia also explore some new-look approaches with their top order and seek to tame some South African stars who get out of bed in the morning to play against Australia.
Here are the biggest talking points ahead of Australia’s three-Test series in South Africa!
The Australians will have nowhere to hide this
The Australians will have nowhere to hide this series, according to former Australian fast bowler Brendon Julian.
“It is brutal. I mean, you field on the boundary down at The Bullring (and) that’s as tough as you’re ever going to get,” Julian told Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast.
“I mean, I talk to people about the MCG or the SCG or the crowds in Perth or whatever, and I say, ‘Mate, get down to The Bullring in Johannesburg or anywhere like that. It is brutal.’ You absolutely cop it, and you know, there’s nowhere to hide. Touring South Africa is not for the faint-hearted.
I mean, it’s probably no different when you
“I mean, it’s probably no different when you go to Eden Park as well. When I’ve been down the boundary of Eden Park, you cop it off the Kiwis, and I’m a Kiwi, so that’s that makes it even harder. That’s the way it is. But I’ve got to say, South Africa is tough. It is a tough environment, and there’s nowhere to hide.”
Australia’s boundary riders may be thankful that there will be no Test at The Wanderers this series – the three Tests will be played in Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town.
The tourists are under no illusions that they will be spared the wrath of a hostile South African crowd, however.
The locals will be baying for blood
The locals will be baying for blood with regular taunts about Sandpapergate, calling the Australians cheats and no doubt unleashing an array of profanities in the process.
Local broadcaster SuperSport have even fanned the flames on social media with a jab about their cameras being “sharp” while replaying in full the moment Cameron Bancroft was caught shoving sandpaper down his pants.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald believes it will be like water off a duck’s back for his players – who have heard such digs regularly in the eight years since last playing Test cricket in South Africa.
We’ve been here a few times since
“We’ve been here a few times since as well, so I mean there’ll be people that probably dive into that area, and they have worldwide as well,” he told reporters in Durban.
“So it’s you know the crowds in England and here, and you know even opposition fans in Australia. So there’ll be people that are willing to go down that path.
“But I think, you know, from our perspective we’ve moved forward. I’m incredibly proud of what this team’s been able to achieve in performance, but also that the way that they’ve gone about it. So there won’t be too much, I don’t think, but I could be surprised. It’s a long time ago.”
More than half of Australia’s likely starting XI
More than half of Australia’s likely starting XI for the series opener played Test cricket in South Africa back in 2018.
Hoff opens up on the REAL Steve Smith | 02:12
But one member of the team who is yet to experience tackling the Proteas in their own backyard in the longest format is wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
The 35-year-old copped it relentlessly in England three years ago following stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s and in a chat at the SCG last month, he told foxsports.com.au that he thinks the atmosphere will be “awesome”.
(They are) some of the toughest contests
“(They are) some of the toughest contests that I’ve seen, so it’s going to be awesome over in South Africa,” Carey said.
“I dare say that the crowds are going to be nice and loud and vocal, and you know I feel like we’re playing some pretty good Test cricket, as are they, which will be just an awesome battle in itself.”
Carey added: “It’s bat v ball in sometimes tricky conditions and world class bowlers against world class batters. And I guess the verbal … doesn’t always need to be there for it to be a really strong contest and I certainly feel that every time we play, it’s a strong contest between Australia and South Africa.
Yes, you might have some relationships off
“Yes, you might have some relationships off the field, but you certainly don’t feel that on the field. You know when Rabada’s running in against a Smith or those guys, how amazing is that?”
Part One: ‘What did you f***ing say?’ How guns, scandal and toxic ultimatum lit Sandpapergate fuse
Part Two: A hidden act had saved Australia from its deepest shame… then came sickening snub
‘I learn a lot from Steve’ | 01:25
As Alex Carey touched on, when it comes
As Alex Carey touched on, when it comes down to the battle between bat and ball on the field, the cricket is set to be of the highest quality.
Australia are the No.1 ranked side in the world in Test cricket, but No.2 ranked South Africa got the chocolates in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
They also hold the top two spots on the current WTC table and are on a collision course to meet in London again – at The Oval next June.
South Africa have only played four Tests following
South Africa have only played four Tests following their famous victory in the final, and are yet to play a home Test since having only played white-ball internationals and the SA20 last summer, but their limited red ball experience in recent times has not dampened the quality of their side.
“I think they are one and two at the moment in the rankings as well, so it’s going to be high quality cricket. It’s going to be demanding. It’s going to, I think, test every area of every game,” Australian coach Andrew McDonald told reporters in Durban.
“Even if you look at the South African attack, the left-arm pace, left arm spin, right arm spin, high speed. There’s a lot of skill sets that we’re going to have to navigate through there.
But equally, you start to look at our
“But equally, you start to look at our attack (and) we’ve got some good bases covered. So I think both bowling attacks, you know, primed, ready to go.”
It has always been on for young and old when South Africa and Australia have locked horns.
“It’ll be competitive, no doubt about it. There’ll be, you know, confrontations out on the ground,” Brendon Julian told Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast.
Pat Cummins’ Australia side are far calmer
Pat Cummins’ Australia side are far calmer and focus more on letting their cricket doing the talking than the ugly Aussies of 2018, who requested broadcasters turn to stump microphones down due to the barrage of abuse they were planning to hurl the Proteas way.
While the South Africans will be a lot tamer than the old days of the 1990s when Brian McMillan once pulled a gun on Allan Border.
Neither of the current will take a backward step, but there is a greater level of respect and understanding of one another following time spent together in T20 franchise tournaments like the IPL and The Hundred.
I think if you look at both sides
“I think if you look at both sides as a whole, that South African Test team has been building towards that World Test Championship final, as have we, and there’s definitely a mutual respect to really good cricket teams that were having a crack and trying to chase glory on those three or four days at Lords,” Australian white ball captain Mitch Marsh told foxsports.com.au at the SCG last month.
“South Africa were better and they thoroughly deserved to win. And that’s the beauty of sport, right? No-one’s got any given right to walk out there and say we’re going to win. And I know that the Test team has great respect for South Africa. You play all around the world in franchise crew and you get to know guys.
“When they put their Sapling caps on and when our boys put their Baggy Green caps on, it’s on, but off the field there’s certainly a mutual respect, and I think that’s great for people to see.”
Haddin backs Maddinson for test return | 01:28
CONNOLLY OR MADDINSON?
Cameron Green’s untimely abdominal injury once again has
Cameron Green’s untimely abdominal injury once again has raised questions surrounding the make-up of Australia’s batting line-up.
It is an unfortunate setback for both Green and the team with the 27-year-old Australia’s best performed batter in August’s Top End series against Bangladesh with a maiden hundred on home soil during the Darwin debacle before being the only player to reach fifty in two days of carnage in Mackay.
Late addition Nic Maddinson and Cooper Connolly appear to be the two players battling it out to take the vacant spot at No.5 – but they could slot in elsewhere with another reshuffle on the cards.
Flexibility and versatility seem to be the key
“Flexibility” and “versatility” seem to be the key words out of the Australian camp when it comes to selection.
Selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide along with coach Andrew McDonald want batters who can slot in anywhere in the order.
Pat Cummins once said “batting orders are overrated” and there is a long list of recent examples of players jumping around the order.
Travis Head most famously went to the top during the Ashes.
Usman Khawaja returned the middle order after nearly
Usman Khawaja returned the middle order after nearly four years as an opener having predominantly batted at No.3 earlier in his international career.
Steve Smith had a go at opening for four Tests before returning to No.4, while Green has batted everywhere from No.3 to No.8 at different times in the last two-and-a-half years.
Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship and reserve batter Josh Inglis – who is currently sidelined with a fractured finger – has slotted in wherever needed.
The ability to adapt is what led
The ability to adapt is what led the selectors to Connolly and Maddinson in the first place.
Connolly has enjoyed a breakout year in white-ball cricket, but has not scored a first-class century, and was a surprise inclusion when the initial 16-man squad was announced last month.
The 23-year-old West Australian offers an all-round package with handy left arm spin and showed his fielding is of high quality with a superb catch to dismiss Aiden Markram on the first ball of a recent ODI in Johannesburg.
He batted at No.8 on Test debut
He batted at No.8 on Test debut in Sri Lanka last year and Connolly’s ability to play various roles sparked his recall.
Bailey even told reporters following the squad announcement that he could bat No.3 for Australia in the future.
Albeit against the white ball, Connolly has impressed with his stroke play against fast bowling in ODI cricket and during the IPL under the guidance of Punjab Kings’ coach Ricky Ponting.
The youngster said during last month’s ODI series
The youngster said during last month’s ODI series in Zimbabwe that he has taken inspiration from Travis Head.
“Similar to Trav, I want to take the game on. I want to score runs; I want to impose myself. I want to be aggressive. I want to put the bowlers back under pressure,” he said.
Those words could entice the selectors if they after a middle order counter puncher like Head so damagingly was before shifting to opening.
Former Australian quick Mitchell Johnson stressed
Former Australian quick Mitchell Johnson stressed in his newspaper column in the West Australian that Connolly must be the next cab off the rank given he was already in the squad.
Another former Australian left-armer in Brendon Julian also believes Connolly will get the nod, but not at No.5.
“I think he will come in at probably seven, and then you’ve got you know obviously Alex Carey at six, and then you’ve got the quicks, and they pick themselves,” Julian said on Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast..
But I think they would rather have another
“But I think they would rather have another spin option. I know Renshaw can bolster him, but you don’t want that. I think Connolly with the left arm spin can control it against the right-hand batters, and that’s why they’ve been batting him three in the one dayers. And he’s not a three in one day cricket, but I think they’re trying to get him in to get a bit of experience, to get a bit of runs under the belt, because they will definitely take him to India.
“I don’t think Australia are going to play two front line spinners, Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon. That’s why I think Cooper Connolly is that option.”
Former Australian skipper Allan Border, who himself bowled more than handy left arm tweak, agrees with his fellow Fox Cricket commentator.
I think Cooper is the future, and given
“I think Cooper is the future, and given he just needs to sort of mentally adjust a little bit to what’s required from one game to the other but once he solves those differences, he’ll be a very good player, and what he brings to the table is exciting, isn’t it?” Border told foxsports.com.au.
“He is typical of the younger players. They hit the ball hard and often. And he bowls left-arm spin and he is in good in the field. He has got a bit of up-and-go about him. So if you bring him in, you want to bring him in down the order.”
‘Friggin’ dreaming!’ Haydos UNLOADS | 02:08
But there are question marks over Connolly’s play against spin with tweaker Keshav Maharaj causing the youngster headaches in the ODIs.
While the Australian hierarchy have made much
While the Australian hierarchy have made much of Maddinson’s reputation as fine player of the turning ball.
“If you look before [his cancer treatment], quality player, can bat at the top, can bat in the middle,” McDonald said of Maddinson, who played three Tests in 2016.
“We’re going to get challenged with spin, and those subcontinent tours we’ve had in the past, he’s been well and truly in our thoughts.
It may not have been obvious for others,
“It may not have been obvious for others, but we felt the player we needed to replace Josh Inglis, can bat at the top and bat in the middle.”
Most of Maddinson’s runs in a fruitful five season stint with Victoria before he returned home to New South Wales – when only Green averaged more among Sheffield Shield regulars – and testicular cancer took its toll, came opening.
That is why there have been suggestions that he could join Matt Renshaw at the top, allowing Head to move back to his former home at No.5.
“I’m a Travis Head at number five fan,” Border told foxsports.com.au.
I think he’s done a good job
“I think he’s done a good job for us, no doubt, but I don’t think he’s faced real difficult times with the ball in his face. Let’s be fair. England were terrible last year. and Travis was great on difficult surfaces.
“He was great but I think the South Africans will test him out a lot more at the top of the order, so we’ll soon find out whether he can do that job for us long term.”
‘Put the bullet through’: Head rips Aussie legends after ‘dog s***’ call-up criticism
Potential first Test selection hint spotted in Aussie nets… as unlikely inclusion takes key role
Maddinson selection ‘kick in the guts’ | 03:04
‘HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE FAITH?’
Marnus Labuschagne showed in the first episode
Marnus Labuschagne showed in the first episode of his South Africa tour diary – available on Fox Cricket’s YouTube channel – that he is an optimist.
“Look how everything else has panned out,” he said when discussing his form slump.
“How can you have faith that these next 18 months is not the most exciting yet?”
Those words are the dream scenario for Australia’s selectors with a bumper year of Test cricket to come.
They will have been more buoyed
But they will have been more buoyed by the actions of their incumbent No.3 in the middle during the warm-up game in Potchefstroom.
Roughly 50 kilometres from the town of his birth, Klerksdorp, and at the site of his maiden ODI century, Labuschagne locked himself into the first Test XI with a century against a South African Invitational XI.
None of the hosts’ seamers had played international cricket, but the Australian hierarchy would have pleased with the way the Queenslander dominated lesser opposition.
After voices inside and outside the dressing room
After voices inside and outside the dressing room were crying out for Labuschagne to show more intent at the crease, he was retired out for 111 off 89 balls.
The 32-year-old struck 19 boundaries including a flurry of drives down the ground and through the off side that were a trademark of his earlier days in the Test side when he rose to No.1 in the world rankings.
If that method can translate to runs in the Test team, it will be a much-needed boost for the Australian top order.
Marnus scores much needed Ton in warm up | 00:46
Labuschagne has infamously not scored a Test century
Labuschagne has infamously not scored a Test century since the Old Trafford Test in the 2023 Ashes.
Cameron Green looked to have stepped up to support to regular centurions Steve Smith and Travis Head against Bangladesh, while Alex Carey enjoyed a fruitful Ashes series with the willow.
But questions mark persist around the likes of Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson – prompting South African great Shaun Pollock to label the Australians “unsettled” on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.
It’s a pretty good cricket team if you
“It’s a pretty good cricket team if you look at it on paper, but it is still vulnerable at the top of the order because we’re still unsure,” former Australian captain Allan Border told foxsports.com.au
“We could be two and three for not many (and) that puts a lot of pressure on Smith and Co. down the order. So we need the top three to fire, and traditionally, if they do, that’s when you start winning cricket matches.”
Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast: “We’re going to have to score at least, you know, 300 in the first innings and 250, maybe 300 in the second innings. That’ll be the difference.
I think South Africa’s batting is solid
“I think South Africa’s batting is solid. I think their bowling is good as well. I think they’re a good all-round dive. I think they’ve got a lot of confidence coming off the one dayers and they love playing at home.
“So there’s a few things up in the air but it’ll be close. But batting will be the issue. We’ll need to bat well to win the series.”
Now, it is Labuschagne’s turn to make the most of the latest door that has opened up for him.
Replacing Smith as a concussion substitute during
Replacing Smith as a concussion substitute during the Lord’s Test of the 2019 Ashes kickstarted his Test career.
Ashton Agar’s untimely injury paved the way for him to become a World Cup winner.
Now, Green’s injury has eased the pressure on his starting place and like so many Australian champions have done before, it is time to end the drought and release the pressure valve.
A maiden Test century in the land
A maiden Test century in the land of his birth would be a fitting place to do so.
Especially if it inspires a famous victory.
ICC announces major rule changes | 00:43
HOW WILL AUSSIE BOWLERS MANAGE THE SERIES?
The workload of Australia’s ageing bowling attack will be a constant question throughout the next year.
Three two-day affairs in seven Tests at home during the Ashes and the Top End series against Bangladesh made life easier for Australia’s quicks.
Mitchell Starc is the nation’s marathon man –
Mitchell Starc is the nation’s marathon man – not having missed a Test since the SCG Test against South Africa in 2023 – but Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have suffered injury setbacks in the last 12 months and will need to be managed carefully.
The Australians took contrasting approaches with Cummins and Hazlewood during the ODI series that preceded the Tests.
Hazlewood played one ODI against Zimbabwe before playing back-to-back matches in Durban and Johannesburg.
Cummins, meanwhile, sent down just five overs in the rain-shorted in the final game of the 50-over series – his first ODI outing in almost two years.
Hazlewood has preferred to play when fit
Hazlewood has preferred to play when fit and in recent years as featured in white ball games when available.
While Cummins has consistently opted for a build-up approach to allow him to get through full series.
If Australia’s ‘Big Three’ are to play all three Tests on this tour, they will have their work cut out for them, however.
If each match goes the full five days,
If each match goes the full five days, there are only four days between each Test and a heavy workload could open the door for Scott Boland and/or Michael Neser.
But conditions may also prompt the selectors to go in other directions.
The series being played on early season pitches in coastal cities Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town brings spin into play.
In recent years, South Africa have effectively deployed left arm tweaker Keshav Maharaj and right arm off spinner Simon Harmer in tandem in home Tests.
It may prompt Matt Kuhunemann to partner Nathan Lyon at some stage.
If the pitches are more along the lines
If the pitches are more along the lines of what one would typically expect in South Africa, Australia’s quicks are once again set to lean on their all-rounder.
Australian coach McDonald said it would be “too high risk” for Cameron Green to bowl upon his return for an abdominal injury.
That revelation sures up Beau Webster’s place in the side and the towering Tasmanian may offer an array of options from his bags of tricks to give Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood a chop out.
I’m happy to do anything, if it’s bowl
“I’m happy to do anything, if it’s bowl spin, if it’s bowl seam, bat anywhere,” Webster said ahead of the tour game in Potchefstroom.
Cummins and Starc may also have a big job on their hands with the bat.
Australia has regularly benefited from handy combinations from their No.8 and No.9, and this series is set to be no different.
Like always, it’s (going to be), ‘How can
“Like always, it’s (going to be), ‘How can we get the runs that we need?’” McDonald said.
“And I think both teams are going to be challenged with that, and potentially the surfaces aren’t going to make that any easier. So that’s where we’ve got to probably get to work as a group, as that batting unit, and that goes for the lower order batting as well.
“I think that could be a real pivotal area of this series, from eight down. I think if you can conjure up some lower order runs, the ability to knock over the tail as well with the ball, I think that’s an area that we definitely want to focus on because it may be the lower scores potentially within this series in tight pressurised situations.”
Weatherald on THAT viral Ashes moment | 01:52
RABADA’S RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK AS FIERY QUICK RETURNS
Australia will be kept on their toes
Australia will be kept on their toes for as long as possible regarding Kagiso Radaba’s involvement in the first Test.
The champion South African quick, who has taken 58 wickets at 21.39 in 11 Tests against Australia, is recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of any cricket since the IPL in May.
South African great Shaun Pollock said on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast earlier this week that it is unlikely that Rabada will play the series opener.
While Proteas assistant coach Ashwell Prince admitted
While Proteas assistant coach Ashwell Prince admitted that the 31-year-old is short of a gallop right now despite being put through his paces in recent days in Durban.
“Fair to say that he’s obviously not going to be at 100% straight away, but he is looking good,” Prince said.
“He will train with the squad for the rest of the week, and we will leave a call to be made as late as possible.”
The South African camp appears confident
The South African camp appears confident that their star quick will play some role in the series.
And Rabada is not the only one they seem willing to roll the dice on.
Anrich Nortje has not played a Test since March 2023.
He has not played a first-class game since that outing against the West Indies in Centurion.
The 32-year-old has not even played an ODI
The 32-year-old has not even played an ODI since facing Australia in Bloemfontein in September 2023.
In that game, he only sent down five overs as he was taken to the cleaners by centurions David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne as well as a rampaging Travis Head (64 off 36).
Nortje has not bowled that many overs in a match in the three years since.
The right-armer, who has pushed the speed gun
The right-armer, who has pushed the speed gun above 150km/h when fit and firing, has become a T20 specialist as the injuries have taken their toll.
But he is back in South Africa’s Test squad and insists he is ready and raring to go.
“My prep from quite some time back has been red ball,” Nortje said earlier this month.
I’ll be very excited if I can put
“I’ll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again. Growing up, it’s the format you want to play. It’s the motivation when you train.”
Nortje took seven wickets at 31 in three Tests in Australia in 2022/23.
His average was the best among the South African bowlers on that tour – even though Rabada took 11 scalps, eight of which came on a Gabba green monster in the first Test that lasted two days.
Nortje, meanwhile, earned admiration for his persistence as a David Warner double ton and an Alex Carey century set up a crushing innings victory for the hosts at the MCG.
South Africa had to do the bulk
South Africa had to do the bulk of their work in the field on a scorching hot second day with temperatures rising above 40 degrees.
Nortje continued to charge and bowl with impressive pace as his teammates wilted – taking the wickets of Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head.
That series is what has inspired Nortje’s comeback as he wants to have another crack at the Australians.
Personally, we always said we want to try
“Personally, we always said we want to try and rectify things when we get them back home,” Nortje said.
“It was a tough series. I enjoyed the series, and learned a lot from it, but we wanted to get them in South Africa and do well. That’s what’s in my head.”
South Africa vs AUS: 3rd ODI Highlights | 15:33
AUSSIE TOREMENTOR WHO HOLDS THE KEY
The South African who may keep the Australians up at night, however, is Aiden Markram.
The right-handed opening batter loves feasting on Australian bowling.
In five Tests, he has scored three centuries
In five Tests, he has scored three centuries and averages 61.60 against the men in baggy greens – his best against nation excluding Zimbabwe, who Markram scored 125 against in his sole Test innings against South Africa’s neighbours.
The 2018 Sandpapergate series marked Markram’s emergence as a Test cricketer.
He scored a defiant 143 in the second dig in Durban as Mitchell Starc reverse swung Australia to victory in the series opener.
Markram then made 84 among the chaos of South Africa’s second innings in Cape Town and feasted on the deflated tourists with 152 in the first innings of the series finale at the Wanderers.
The knock that burns brightest in Australian memories
The knock that burns brightest in Australian memories is his Lord’s masterclass in last year’s World Test Championship final.
Markram made 136 – falling six runs short of the victory target as the Proteas ran down 282 to win the mace.
“We certainly know that he’s someone for the big occasion. Of that there is no doubt,” Ashwell Prince said following Markram’s Lord’s classic.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins said: He was pretty
Australian skipper Pat Cummins said: “He was pretty hard to dislodge. He kept the scoreboard ticking over as well, which can be frustrating.
“A few of us have played alongside him as well in the IPL and he’s very well respected. He’s a good man, Aiden.
“We threw a fair bit at him, but he had an answer for everything.”
Australia will need to come up with answers to curb Markram’s impact this time around.
The 32-year-old missed the tour of Australia four
The 32-year-old missed the tour of Australia four years ago during a spell out of the side.
His career average is 35.46 after 50 Tests, but Markram will certainly be the key wicket for the Australians this series.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
