Australia Face South Africa Again As Sandpaper Saga Looms Over Test Return

Australia will return to South Africa for a Test series for the first time since the 2018 ball-tampering controversy rocked international cricket.

The three-match series begins in Durban on Friday, bringing back memories of the dramatic Cape Town Test.

Only six members of Australia’s current squad featured in or were part of the 2018 tour.

Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon played in the controversial Cape Town Test, while Matt Renshaw joined the squad later as a replacement.

Cummins has already prepared his team for a potentially hostile reception but expects attention to shift towards cricket once the series begins.

“There might be a little bit of hostility,” Cummins said on the Keepin’ it Cricket podcast last month.

Australia will again depend heavily on their experienced campaigners.

Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Smith remain central figures, while Lyon could feature depending on conditions in Durban.

Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head, while Marnus Labuschagne could retain the No 3 position after scoring a century in the warm-up match. Smith is set to continue at No 4.

Australia will miss Cameron Green and Josh Inglis after injuries ruled both players out of the opening Test.

Scott Boland could again remain on the sidelines, while Australia may select either Lyon or Matthew Kuhnemann. They could field both spinners if the Durban pitch dries quickly.

South Africa have five players from the 2018 series in their current squad.

Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada remain involved.

Rabada’s participation remains uncertain because of a hamstring injury, with the team expected to make a late decision on his availability.

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