Are the South African resources enough to beat the Australians at home?

South Africa is at the peak of their game and of the ICC Test rankings currently; the one team who have struggled over the years but have finally reached their deserved stature in world cricket. South Africa’s batting and bowling resources are a gift and their depth, an asset. Under Smith’s leadership, they have thrived as a team and have complimented each other really well to have reached the pinnacle of their success. The two teams are known to fight fire with fire and compete at an elite level. With their odyssey of Australia is about to kick-start, let’s have a look at the South African possessions that could be enough to beat the Aussies in their own backyard once again.

Batting: The last time the South Africans were here in 2008, J.P Duminy made his debut for South Africa and guided his team to victory in what was a record chase in Perth. He followed that up with a 166 at the MCG. It was a brilliant team effort that handed South Africa their first Test series win in Australia.

This time however, the South Africans have the Australian bowlers feeling the jitters – with the first Test being just a few days away – with their terrific batting line-up. Their top 3 comprise of Smith, Peterson and Amla- all of who have had an incredible year. Peterson has scored 3 centuries in 7 Tests this year, while Amla has been immovable and has piled on a truckload of runs. Smith on the other hand, has proved his prowess as a motivating captain who contributes when the team requires. Then you have the eternally powerful – King Kallis at No.4 who is an asset to any team he plays for in more than one facet of the game. Then in the pecking order comes, AB de Villiers, who is one of the most explosive batsmen in any format and who also will be donning the gloves in the series. Boucher’s untimely retirement, due to the eye injury, has given the team a chance to accommodate another player as AB fulfils the duties of a keeper with ease; Rudolph and Duminy follow.

The Australians however, will take solace in the fact that a relatively inexperienced attack did beat them in their own backyard, when Cummins had his dream debut. But given the form the South African batsman are currently in, it would take a lot of character to stand up against them and relentlessly try bowling them out.

On the bowling front, the current Proteas’ pace attack is arguably the best in world cricket today and the best South Africa have ever had. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander comprise of an attack that is good enough to beat any team in cricket today; their variations along with their ability to adapt to different conditions is what has guaranteed them success in the past few years. Under the direction of legendary bowler Allan Donald, they have everything they need.

The South African unit is a complete team in every facet of the game and if Australia is to stand a chance at beating them, they will have to put up an out-of-their-skin show. It will be very interesting to see how Clarke leads his troops against the mighty Proteas.

The first Test begins at The Gabba on the 9^th of November.