A triple helping of South Africa versus Australia sporting contests this weekend with the respective home teams in a rebuilding phase and missing key players, but desperate to build confidence for the months ahead.
The Proteas and their cricketing counterparts from Down Under will see a lot of each other in the coming weeks. There’s the five-match Momentum One-Day series starting in Centurion today (1.30pm) and then three Tests in Australia in November.
Relations may be cordial right now, but by the end of November things could become tetchy.
Captains Steve Smith and Faf du Plessis have not shied away from the fact that this ODI series could have an impact on what takes place in the Test matches.
Australia have left a couple of key components of their Test team back home to rest ahead of the series Down Under, while South Africa - and in particular the batsmen - need to make an impression in this series and those likely to be in the Test squad need to build self-belief ahead of the trip to Australia.
The Australian bowlers weren’t firing on all cylinders in the one-off match against Ireland in Benoni this week and a South African batting line-up, even one missing AB de Villiers, will fancy a crack at a seam attack that lacks express pace.
Hashim Amla has been restored to his position at the top of the order and regardless of whether De Villiers was present or not, his performances, along with Quinton de Kock’s, are crucial towards setting a rhythm for the South Africans.
Du Plessis said yesterday that the middle order players, now firmly under the microscope with De Villiers absent, wanted to show greater intent in the middle overs after failing to do so against Ireland.
“We want to be a bit more positive,” said Du Plessis. “In the last few years, because of the balance of the team - (batsmen) were a bit hesitant. Your tail starts at seven or eight so you have to sit in - in those periods.
“But with a longer batting line-up now, it allows us to push a little harder in that period and put some pressure on the opposition. Against Ireland it was a case of guys wanting time in the middle and making good use of that game ahead of this series.”
There is indeed greater depth and variety in the SA squad for this series, with Du Plessis hopeful that between Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius, two will emerge as long-term options for the one-day side.
Ultimately though, SA need to make a statement. They may be missing key players but that's something they'll have to grow accustomed to in the coming months.
Teams
South Africa (from): Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Kyle Abbott, Tabraiz Shamsi, Aaron Phangiso
Australia (from): Aaron Finch, Dave Warner, Steve Smith (capt), George Bailey, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Tremain, Dan Worrall, Matthew Wade, Joe Mennie, John Hastings, Scott Boland, Adam Zampa
The Star