Australia’s Siddle ruled out of second Test against Proteas

And after Dale Steyn suffered a serious shoulder injury in Perth, South Africa are also on new ground in quite another way.

“So, there is pressure on players day in, day out for your country and that’s part and parcel of whether you are playing for South Africa or Australia”. The order is certainly to end with wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, who too has been in commendable form, scoring 148 runs in the previous match, and is again being backed to play a vital role at Hobart as well.

Australia has brushed off concerns that the sudden heavy workload imposed on its leading fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood might increase their risk of breaking down.

David Warner has been so good for Australia that his contributions have come to be expected and when he doesn’t fire the Baggy Greens often fail, but the hosts need other batsmen to come to the party.

The South Africans reviewed the decision and were successful, ending a 50-run stand between Marsh and Usman Khawaja and striking the first blow of the day. Peter Nevill showed his grit in the second innings. This Test could be won or lost on the back of the simple things.

Down in the series, already questions have been asked of Australia’s preparation.

Asked about Australia’s limited preparation, one Sheffield Shield match, and moving the first Test of summer from Brisbane to Perth, Lehmann said his hands were tied: “Can’t do anything about it. Love to, but we can’t”.

Markets have South Africa at $1.50 to win their third consecutive series, according to website AustralianGambling, with an Australian revival priced at $7 and a drawn series at $3.75.

Ferguson has had to wait 12 years to get this close to a Test debut.

Around 18,000 tickets have been sold across the five days of play as Australia look to square the three-Test series following South Africa’s crushing victory in Perth on Monday.

“But having said that he is not getting four-fors and five-fors, he’s getting the odd one or two”.

They would not want a repeat of the mistakes they did at Perth when they start afresh in Hobart and for that Smith has to make up a few solid plans to counter the Proteas. As the only member of this team to have played in the pre-Steyn and pre-de Villiers era, Amla’s experience will be invaluable to the squad for the remainder of this series.

Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson have been added to the Australia squad as potential replacements.

Asked about going in with just four bowlers, as rain delays should mean they will get plenty of rest, Smith said: “Not sure, that’s up to the selectors and they’ll decide tomorrow”.

While indicating spinner Nathan Lyon’s place was safe, Smith said he believed Voges would also avoid the axe, despite not scoring a half-century in nine Test innings, including his double failure at the WACA. Nevertheless, both Morne and Kyle are capable of some good bowling, while both are tough batsmen as well, and would be a tough call for du Plessis on whom to give the chance in place of Steyn.

Morkel missed the second Test with a back injury that has sidelined him for two months and faces a fitness test before being named for Hobart.