Australia vs South Africa: Current combined Test XI

The Test summer in Australia is about to begin and the visiting team this time is one which brings in a lot of excitement to cricket viewers. Contests between South Africa and Australia are always eagerly awaited and neither have disappointed in providing intense cricket action.

This time, with South Africa's prodigal son, AB de Villiers, missing out due to an injury to his elbow, the contest gets even tighter. Not that Australia at home isn't formidable but just that the South Africans have managed to find ways to topple the Kangaroos in their backyard of late.

With the exciting season about to begin, the author makes a humble attempt at compiling a combined Test XI from the current Test teams of South Africa and Australia.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and they do not necessarily represent the views of Sportskeeda

#1 David Warner

Two formidable openers have higher the limelight in recent years in Test cricket and one of them is the incredible David Warner. Warner has been the pioneer of the Sehwag-style of batting in Test cricket since his promotion to the Test team. He surprised quite a few by more than surviving with his attacking mindset in Test cricket.

Initially thought of as a T20 player, Warner has managed to blend his aggression with patience in the longer formats and become a force to reckon with at the top of the order. Warner’s ability to dominate any attack augers well for Australia. He also plays bounce pretty well and could easily take Rabada and Morkel out of the equation by attacking them.

#2 Dean Elgar

South Africa have an established opener too. Though he has not gained a stature similar to Warner, Elgar has stood out as a gutsy opener, much in the mould of the man he succeeded, Graeme Smith. Elgar's role in the series would be as crucial as ever. He would have to negate the early swing which Starc is bound to bring into play. The tone he sets would pave the way for the likes of Faf Du Plessis and Hashim Amla to capitalise on.

The stout opener would need to counter some early attack and make sure he converts the starts he gets to bigger scores. He has been a trusted force with the bat for South Africa of late. He may also be required to bowl some part-timers.

#3 Steven Smith

The no.3 spot has to go to the Aussie skipper, Steven Smith. He has been a terrific player for Australia in the longer formats and at home, is an even bigger force. Smith will be the most sought after wicket by the South Africans, for he can take away the game with his flamboyance.

He has shown a tendency to dominate the quicker bowlers. His recent exploits on Australian soil suggests that the trend could continue despite South Africa boasting of a terrific pace attack. The Australian wouldn't be in this eleven if not for De Villiers' injury.

#4 Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla will be a rock for the batting order of the team

Hashim Amla should walk in below him as the stabiliser. Amla has been nothing short of a revelation and excels on any surface. His ability to dominate bowling attacks with his wristy strokes and perfect cover drives make him a major headache for bowlers. Amla will be the wall for South Africa in this series in the absence of ABD.

His ability to dig into the attack and build big partnerships makes him the vital cog in the middle order. His expected battle with Mitchell Starc’s inswingers forms the perfect backdrop for this Test series.

#5 Faf Du Plessis

Faf Du Plessis is my choice for skipper of this combined eleven. While he is a stand-in skipper in the absence of De Villiers, I feel he is a much better captain than both Smith and De Villiers. He is a natural leader with a strong will. No one can forget his mammoth innings the last time he toured Down Under in his debut series.

That sort of composure doesn't come easy and it makes Faf a worthy skipper. His ability with the willow is also not a question. He has been in fine nick of late notching up some fine scores against the visiting Kiwis. Du Plessis also scored a hundred against the Aussies in the ODI series in South Africa.

#6 Adam Voges

The lower middle order would be occupied by Adam Voges and wicketkeeper, Quinton De Kock. Voges had a Bradman-esque run in the Test side before Australia toured Sri Lanka. While he may have filtered in the sub-continent, his experience of Australian conditions and form prior to that series suggests that Voges will be a rock at the bottom half.

His ability to vary the pace of scoring makes him a dangerous batsman. Voges will need to act as the glue between the top order and tail and will have to stick around till the end to provide some valuable runs. His recent form suggests he will be a real force to reckon with for the South African pace attack.

#7 Quinton De Kock

Quinton De Kock is easily the Gilly of this South African line-up. While he opened in the series against New Zealand, that is unlikely to continue here. He should walk in at his favoured no.7 slot and guide the tail.

The South African is one terrific find for the Africans and easily edges out Peter Nevill as the wicketkeeper of this combined XI. He has warmed up to the series with a brilliant hundred in the day-night match against Cricket Australia XI. When on song, he is a treat to watch and none would know it better than the Aussies whom he hammered around while making 178 in an ODI recently.

#8 Vernon Philander

Philander forms a great bowling attack with the rest of the team

One of the opening bowlers has to be the immaculate Vernon Philander. Philander thrives on a regularity basis by hitting consistent lines. His ability to plug away outside the off-stump through the day makes him a major strike force. The nagging line has seen him become a top bowler in world cricket.

Australia will remember him all too well as he picked a five-wicket haul when they were bowled out for an embarrassing 47. Philander is the perfect foil to Steyn and Morkel, whose traits are totally in contrast to his. Despite bowling at an average pace, Philander has managed to trouble the best of batsmen with nip. He is also a decent batsman to have in the tail.

#9 Mitchell Starc

The sensational pace bowler has been the talk of the fast bowling circle in recent times. His ability to shape the ball late at pace makes him a dangerous customer with the new ball. Starc has been Australia’s go-to bowler since the retirement of Mitchell Johnson and should lead the attack after an injury layoff.

Starc did his best to help Australia in Sri Lanka with his accurate Yorkers and late swing. He also has the ability to make the old ball talk in reverse. The threat he poses is huge for a South African batting line-up without AB De Villiers. South Africa are also yet to face a rejuvenated Starc in Test cricket.

#10 Dale Steyn

The first change bowler, only first change because of his vast experience, Dale Steyn, is a mountain to contend with if the opening bowlers are Starc and Philander. The no.1 Test bowler is a brilliant athlete and bowls perfectly shaped outswingers. He can be a menace with the old ball too, as the South African is a brilliant exponent of the art of reverse swing.

The Aussies will remember his terrific spell with the old ball when they last toured South Africa. The quick bowler is not one to shy away from a battle and rises to the occasion most times. Australia can expect to see a lot of Steyn in this series if he manages to stay fit right through.

#11 Nathan Lyon

The spinner in the combined XI is the consistent but threatening, Nathan Lyon. He has been a relief for Australia after a period of spinner-hunting since Warne's retirement. Lyon's height and quick action makes him a quality off-spinner.

While the pitches in Australia do not really encourage spin, Lyon has had a decent time in home turf. He can tie an end down and also pick the breakthrough wickets. While I suspect Tabraiz Shamsi to give him a close run if a combined XI were to be named after the series, for now, Lyon holds the aces.