Australia Return to South Africa with 2018 Scandal Still in View

Australia will begin a three-match Test series against South Africa in Durban on Friday, returning to Test cricket in the country for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal of 2018.

The series brings together two teams with contrasting pressures. South Africa defeated Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s the previous year, while Australia are seeking a response after a surprise home Test defeat by Bangladesh in August. That series ended in a draw.

Spin could shape the opening Test

The Kingsmead surface is expected to provide an opportunity for spin bowlers, adding importance to South Africa’s options in that department. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj were highly effective in South Africa’s last two Test victories, which came in India in November.

South Africa’s final team is not settled in every position. Kagiso Rabada could be rested as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while coach Shukri Conrad has several choices for the number-three batting position. Marques Ackerman is among the players being considered for a potential Test debut.

Australia also have an unresolved selection decision. Cameron Green’s injury has opened the number-five position to Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson.

Debate over Australia’s selections

Maddinson’s recall has drawn criticism from former Australia batter Matthew Hayden. Travis Head, however, defended the inclusion of experienced players, saying the team needed “mature guys that know what they need to be doing”.

Head also criticized the tone of comments from some former Australia players about the current side.

“I think it’s unfairly judged a fair bit from a group of past players, pretty much that put the bullet through a lot of players, which I think is unfair,” Head said.

He added that the squad was capable of handling the criticism, despite acknowledging that former players were entitled to express their views.

Memories of Cape Town

Australia’s last Test series in South Africa was overshadowed by events in Cape Town in March 2018. Australia were caught on camera attempting to roughen the ball with sandpaper during the third Test in an effort to aid reverse swing.

Steve Smith was sent home, banned for 12 months and removed as captain. David Warner also received a 12-month suspension and was stripped of leadership roles, while Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months.

Smith has since returned to South Africa for a white-ball series, but this will be his first Test appearance there since the incident. He has said the episode remains traumatic and that camera flashes can bring back memories of the events.

“I still have little flashbacks here and there of it,” Smith said.

Smith, who had scored 10,920 Test runs with a batting average of 56 at the time of the report, also said he was prepared for a hostile reception. “It’s something I’m kind of used to,” he said, referring to criticism he has faced at venues away from home.

The scandal has received less recent attention in South Africa than in the Australian press, according to Al Jazeera Sport. The focus now turns to the opening Test, with both sides carrying questions about form, personnel and how the conditions at Kingsmead will influence the contest.