After the two day test debacle at Gabba where South Africa were bowled out for 99, the visitors come to MCG under pressure. MCG will bring back good memories for the South Africans as they won the match here way back in 2008 to win their first ever series in Australia under Graeme Smith.
The Australians will be worried about David Warner who is scheduled to make personal history when he takes the field at MCG on Monday. Warner has been out of form for a long time and he will be under pressure to perform with a huge series against India and the Ashes lined up ahead.
Venue – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Time – 5 AM IST
Likely pitch conditions –
It has been hot in Melbourne unlike the rain threat that was witnessed during the World Cup. The MCG strip has been a bat first wicket with the team chasing finding it difficult. SA though won the game here in 2008 while chasing and could draw inspiration from that. The Pitch cracks 4th day onwards with day 2 and 3 being at its best time for batting with the sun beating down.
Australia XI –
Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Labuschagne, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Lyon and Boland
Likely South Africa XI –
Elgar, Erwee, Van Der Dussen, Bavuma, Zondo, Verreyyne, Rabada, Jansen, Maharaj, Ngidi and Nortje
Head to Head record
Games played – 99
Wins for Australia – 53
Wins for South Africa – 26
Drawn games -20
Head to Head at MCG –
Games played -12
Wins for Australia – 7
Wins for SAF – 3
Drawn Games – 2
Test record of MCG –
Games played – 114
Games won by Australia – 65
Games won by visiting team – 32
Drawn games – 17
Games won after batting 1st – 56
Games won after batting 2nd – 41
Games won after winning the toss – 51
Games won after losing the toss – 46
Average first innings score – 307
Average Run rate – 2.9 RPO
Best individual score at this venue – R. Cowper 307 vs ENG in 1966
Best bowling figures at this venue -9/86 by Sarfaraz Nawaz vs AUS in 1979
Highest team score at this venue – 624/8 by AUS vs PAK in 2016
Lowest team total at this venue – 36 by SAF vs AUS in 1932
Best 4th inngs chase at this venue – 332/7 by ENG vs AUS in 1928
Approaching milestones
·This is the 100th test match between Australia and South Africa
·Alex Carey needs 3 catches to reach 50 catches in test cricket
·Cameron Green needs 1 run to reach 3000 runs in 1st class cricket
·Khawaja needs 34 runs to score 4000 runs in test cricket
·He will become the 27th player to achieve this feat for Australia
·Marnus Labuschagne needs 137 runs to reach 4000 runs in international cricket
·Steve Smith needs 42 runs to reach 13000 runs in 1st class cricket
·David Warner will be playing his 100th test match for Australia
·Warner will become the 13th player to play 100 tests for the Australian team
·Warner also needs 78 runs to reach 8000 test runs and he will become the 8th Australian to achieve this feat
·Dean Elgar needs 24 runs to score 5000 runs in test cricket for South Africa
·Elgar will become the 8th South African to achieve this feat
·Elgar also needs 117 runs to reach 16000 runs in 1st class cricket
·Elgar also needs 5 catches to complete 200 catches in 1st class cricket
·Bavuma needs 137 runs to score 9000 runs in 1st class cricket
·Van Der Dussen needs 95 runs to reach 1000 runs in Test cricket