Australia are well prepared than South Africa

Just a two Test match in a series contested between the two most professional and exciting sides in the world of cricket and it also doesn’t do any justice towards the die hard cricket fans. But though a Test series spanning over two Test matches, by no means it would be short of dramas and excitement.

Over the two decades, both Australia and South Africa have produced some of Test cricket’s most thrilling and exciting Test matches. So, it is expected that again, this two Test matches will never be short of excitements. It was evident during the T20 and ODI series how these two teams can script nail-biting finishes.

Australia is a team who are on a rebuilding process. After torrid one and half years, team Australia, under Micahel Clarke seems to be gaining the lost momentum. Though, that aura of invincibility is absent but the current Australian side haven’t lost a bit of their sense of professionalism and fighting spirit. The team’s eager to win matches on trying conditions was evident during their tour to Sri Lanka where an ideal blend of young and professional unit left the World Cup runner-ups at bay on most of the times.

Australia are ready for the Test matches in Cape Town and Johannesburg to try and continue an awesome record in South Africa, where the Baggy Greens have not lost a Test series since 1969-70. Again, Australia have won four and drawn one of the five contests here since South Africa's readmission into international cricket. They've won the last four.

Starting to show signs of improvement after the Ashes disaster, Australia's only temptation to deviate from the combination in Sri Lanka is likely to be whether to give rapidly rising teenage fast bowler Pat Cummins his Test debut at Newlands, following swiftly on from the 18-year-old speedster's international bow at the same ground just three weeks ago.

The Australian team has the batsmen and bowlers to have a go at the South Africans. The batting lineup is boosted by Micahel Hussey, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting’s experience while young guns like Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson are there to blunt the best attacks. The bowling is lead by Mitchell Johnson and with Ryan Harris doing well in Sri Lanka’s dead wickets and with Watson’s mercurial abilities, the Aussies have a balanced attack to be well reckoned of and if the young Nathan Lyon, who earned respect and praises from Sri Lanka with his off-spinners, gets included then the Australian bowling attack will have enough variety and spice.

Coached by Gary Kirsten, South Africa are the number. 2 ranked side behind England in the Test rankings after India's slide, but the Proteas have done little to prove they deserve that position having not played a Test since a drawn series with the Indians ended in Cape Town 10 months ago.

Captain Graeme Smith, all-rounder Jacques Kallis, vice captain AB de Villiers, wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and fast bowler Dale Steyn haven't played any long-format cricket at any level since the New Year Test against India this year.

But being a professional side it is expected that they are ready for the Australian challenge.

South Africa’s lineup could include Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir and Cape Town-based seam bowler Vernon Philander, who are yet to play Test cricket. It will include opening batsman Jacques Rudolph, who hasn't played Tests since 2006 but was recalled straight to the team after a five-year sabbatical in English county cricket. With the return of injured AB de Villiers, the South African side will be well boosted.

In a sense Australia seems better prepared than the Proteas but any Test series or an ODI series contested between these two teams are hotly contested and it becomes an outstanding exhibition of sheer mental toughness and professionalism.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar