Australia vs South Africa 1st Test Match - Preview & Prediction

The hosts have assembled a 14-man squad for this series with the same players selected for the Tests against the West Indies, barring spinner Mitchell Swepson.

Australia proved far too strong for the West Indies but will be aware that South Africa is a much more formidable opponent. Josh Hazlewood will miss this match due to injury.

Australia have lost only one Test out of nine matches in this format this year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">South Africa all out for 152.<br><br>Australia will begin their innings after tea <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvSA</a></p>&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1603980891084435457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

South Africa have travelled to Australia with a potent bowling attack, but ahead of this first Test, there are question marks behind the visitors' batting lineup. 

Dean Elgar will captain the side; we do not expect any debutants in Brisbane.

Australia's players to watch

1. Marnus Labuschagne- With three centuries from his four innings against West Indies, Marnus Labuschagne will arrive in Brisbane with his confidence at an all-time high.

 2. Nathan Lyon- Off-spinner Nathan Lyon will be a threat across both innings and is our pick of the bowler.

South Africa's players to watch

1. Rassie van der Dussen- He is a dependable batter in the middle order and is the pick of the batter for South Africa.

2. Kagiso Rabada- will make up a powerful and quick bowling attack and can grab early wickets.

Match Prediction

Australia are predicted to win the first Test as South Africa's batting lineup is not strong.

Top Picks

Marnus Labuschagne

Nathan Lyon

Rassie van der Dussen

Kagiso Rabada

Pitch Report

The match will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane. We expect a good pace and carry on this pitch with a par score in the first innings of around 400.

Team Squad

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and David Warner.

South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Eree, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, and Khaya Zondo.