Michael Clarke's team is about to take the field at New Lands Johannesburg Second test in the wake of Australia's most traumatic Test defeat, in terms of a dominant position surrendered, since Kolkata 2001.
For South Africa, the extraordinary events of Cape Town provided a heartening reminder of the resilience among some of the team's senior players, but also a sharp reminder of how far behind the hosts can fall if not entirely ready for the task at hand.
The outstanding debut of Vernon Philander was another reason for excitement.
Australia captain Michael Clarke has said that Mitchell Johnson is running out of last chances, as the left armer is all set to get a reprieve in the second Test in Johannesburg.
With Pat Cummins expected to come into the attack, the skipper hinted that Johnson's left-arm point-of-difference might save him ahead of Peter Siddle who is also fighting for his spot, Fox Sports reports.
However, Clarke made it clear to Johnson that the uniqueness of his delivery won't be enough to save him for the Australian summer if he continues to fail.
Greame Smith said he expected Australia to bounce back after being bowled out for 47 in the second innings at Newlands. "They've got enough players with enough experience to have dealt with things like this and put it behind them. They know it's a fresh start. But if we can put them under pressure again maybe the amount of pressure they've been under this week can come out."
South Africa and Australia may have final playing eleven as follow respectively,
South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Jacques Rudolph, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Ashwell Prince, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir.
Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Nathan Lyon
For South Africa, the extraordinary events of Cape Town provided a heartening reminder of the resilience among some of the team's senior players, but also a sharp reminder of how far behind the hosts can fall if not entirely ready for the task at hand.
Australia captain Michael Clarke has said that Mitchell Johnson is running out of last chances, as the left armer is all set to get a reprieve in the second Test in Johannesburg.
With Pat Cummins expected to come into the attack, the skipper hinted that Johnson's left-arm point-of-difference might save him ahead of Peter Siddle who is also fighting for his spot, Fox Sports reports.
However, Clarke made it clear to Johnson that the uniqueness of his delivery won't be enough to save him for the Australian summer if he continues to fail.
South Africa and Australia may have final playing eleven as follow respectively,
South Africa (probable): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Jacques Rudolph, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Ashwell Prince, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir.
Australia (probable): 1 Shane Watson, 2 Phillip Hughes, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Ricky Ponting, 5 Michael Clarke (capt), 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Nathan Lyon
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