Dale Steyn vs Mitchell Johnson, South Africa vs Australia - the stage is set for another truly marvellous contest with the three-match series poised perfectly at 1-1 going into the 3rd and final Test match in Newlands starting Saturday.
Where to Watch Live
The match is set for a 10.30 am local time (2 pm IST) start with live coverage on Ten Cricket and Ten HD in India. The action can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE. Viewers in Africa can catch the action live online HERE. The match can be watched via live streaming in Australia HERE. UK viewers can live stream the match HERE, while US viewers can do the same HERE.
Australia, led by the unstoppable Johnson, dominated the first Test, before South Africa, with Steyn showing exactly why he is the best bowler in the world, roared back in some style to level the series.
With both teams playing wonderful cricket at the moment, the deciding Test promises to be a humdinger.
"We've lost one series in eight years, that needs to be embraced," he said. "We have an exciting opportunity ahead us over the next five days. It would be a big feather in our caps if we can come back and win this series," said SA skipper Graeme Smith, who is under pressure to perform with the bat."
While Smith has not quite lived up to expectations, one man stepped up admirably in the second must-win Test for the Proteas, scoring a brilliant century to set the game up for the likes of Steyn to go at Australia. Michael Clarke and co. will be wary of Hashim Amla's return to form, and will know the importance of stopping the right-hander before he gets into the groove.
At the other end, while Johnson was nullified to a certain extent in the slow Port Elizabeth pitch, the left-arm express pace bowler will look to come into the fore more in the third Test, while the onus will also be on Clarke, who has not scored a half-century in his last 11 Test innings, the longest drought of his career.
"The one thing I felt with Pup was that he's disappointed he hasn't got some runs lately, but as I said to him last night: 'mate, let's look back at the last seven Test matches. You've come back from England, you've been hammered 3-0 -- yes, it was a bit closer than everyone thought but the scoreline still read 3-0," Australia legend Shane Warne who is with the team in South Africa said. "But over the last seven Test matches you've won six and not everyone has relied on you, that should be a good thing."
Clarke, who said Australia will not rest until they get back their world number one ranking in Test cricket, will also know beating South Africa at home could just be his biggest achievement as a skipper.
"It's as exciting a challenge as you have, I think everybody was excited about way we played against England and beating such a good team 5-0 but as a player this is as exciting," Clarke said. "You are playing the No. 1 side in the world in their own backyard and you have a chance to beat them.
"This would be an amazing achievement by this team to win this Test match and as an individual player who has played a lot of cricket around the world if this doesn't excite you you are in the wrong sport. We are excited by the tough challenge in front of us and what an achievement it would be."
Team news: South Africa: Opener Alviro Petersen is expected to return to the team after missing the second Test with a virus, which means Dean Elgar is likely to drop down to the middle order, with Quinton De Kock making way. Wayne Parnell is expected to miss out with a groin strain, with one of Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren or Kyle Abbot to replace the pace bowler.
Australia: Shane Watson will return to the team after missing the first two Tests, with Shaun Marsh to sit out. Ryan Harris has struggled in this series, and it remains to be seen if the fast bowler will keep his place.
Expected lineups: South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, AB De Villiers, Dean Elgar, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel.
Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Alex Doolan, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon.
