South Africa’s Morkel to quit internationals

Aussie captain Steve Smith admitted that it’s a “tough” tour, but his side will be more at home on South African soil than nearly anywhere else in the world.

The home side’s openers, Zubayr Hamza and Pieter Malan, batted through the last 18 overs of day two to move their side to 55 for 0 at stumps. If Smith has a bad series it could be trouble for Australia but back the visitors in for a 2-1 victory. South Africa have Hashim Amla and AB deVilliers, Australia David Warner and Steve Smith. Since then, Smith has become the highest-rated Test batsman since Sir Donald Bradman, scoring 4965 runs at 76.38 with 20 tons and 18 half-centuries.

Of the two uncapped players drafted into the fold, Klaasen, a keeper-batsman, was the backup gloveman to Quinton de Kock for South Africa’s tour of New Zealand in March 2017 but was not called into action during the series. His consistency and menace only grew and he was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker on their tour to England in 2017.

‘The Durban wicket over the last few years has definitely slowed down a bit. Pat Cummins will be eager to return to the country where he made his Test debut in 2011.

The two men eventually did have a sit-down, with Morkel committing himself. Perhaps South Africa’s greatest challenge will be picking a team that provides balance.

“I’m expecting flatter wickets than they had for the Indian series, especially with the bowling attacks floating around”, Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon told The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday.

Current South African leading fast bowler Morne Morkel has officially announced that upcoming Test series against Australia would mark his last appearances in global cricket.

“The pace and bounce doesn’t necessarily bother them, conditions are not so foreign”.

However, the former pace ace, who took 85 wickets in 18 Tests between 1991 and 1998, said it’s the hosts who must rise to the occasion.

Extreme results like that are unlikely, though, even if South Africa’s home record against them is dubious.

“They’ve just come off a good win over India at home”.

Australia are by far the most successful side in Test cricket, amassing more wins than any other team in history. India was a tantalising appetiser, but Australia is the main course of the South African 2017-18 season. My focus is 100% on winning this series.

South Africa asked for pitches with plenty of pace and bounce during India’s recent tour, leading to early finishes and a Test at the Wanderers nearly being abandoned because of safety concerns.

Can Australia keep de Villiers quiet?