South Africa are set to tour Australia for three Tests as part of the World Test Championship, with the first match taking place at the Gabba from December 17. Ex-Protea skipper Graeme Smith thinks South Africa should play their best bowling attack in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
“I would like to see South Africa back their six batters. I think there’s always that fear because the batting has been weak. They’ve always looked to play the extra batter. Maybe that can be a defensive mindset and not an aggressive mindset. I’d like to see them take an aggressive mindset,”
he said.
South African pacers have done well on Australian pitches over the years. This time around, they have Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen in their arsenal.
Smith believes playing a four-pace attack along with Keshav Maharaj is the way to go in Australia.
“You’ve got Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and Keshav Maharaj, who are all outstanding Test bowlers and can really win you games single-handedly. Work on the batters, get the six batters to bat in partnerships and get totals. If you get the totals you want, bowlers can win you games,”
South Africa have historically been the best-performing side in Australia, having won their previous three Test series down under. Rabada was part of their 2016-17 tour, where he claimed 15 wickets in three games. He remains the heart of their bowling attack, as he has been in recent years.
The series is crucial for both the teams, who are sitting at the top of the table in the World Test Championship. Australia top the table with 70% points win percentage while South Africa are second with 60%.
