Testing Times: South Africa v Australia Test Series Preview | Thebigtip

The pyjama party is in full swing at the moment in South Africa. As a cricket tragic, all I can say is "when does the real stuff fire up?"

Australia have only played 2 lack lustre tests (Sri-Lanka) since the Ashes disaster of last summer. With 8 tests to be played over the course of the next 3 months against quality opposition (NZ questionable), some lingering post ashes questions will now hopefully be answered.

When the 15 man test squad was announced, few eyebrows were raised until the name Pat Cummins was read out. Heard of him? Don't be alarmed if you said no. The 18 year old NSW quick has generated quite a buzz since performing well in the green and gold strip and by doing so, has earned himself an extended stay in South Africa and a potential baggy green.

To the selector's credit (been a while since I have said that) the squad looks somewhat fresh and rejuvenated with the possible exception of the spin factor and the man keeping stumps.

BATSMEN - M. Clarke, S.Watson, B.Haddin, P.Hughes, M.Hussey, U.Khawaja, S.Marsh, R.Ponting.

It's a pretty handy mix of  experienced campaigners and emerging talent looking to impress. One of the more notable aspects of this line up is that they all seem to be in reasonable form. Clarke has begun his reign at the helm reasonably well. Form in Sri-Lanka bodes well for the new skip. Hussey also kept the scorers busy in the sub-continent as did Hughes and Marsh in a dream debut series.

Watson, Haddin and Ponting seem to be the most vulnerable however, they will all be certain starters to play in the first test at Cape Town on November 9th. The theme here seems to be temperament. After all, the temperament and determination of a quality test player is what makes test cricket so brilliant to watch and so tough to play. Clarke has an eagerness to assert his authority, Hughes will be eager to cement a spot in the opening pair, Khawaja will be calm and fluent, Marsh has signalled his intentions that he wants to be a test cricketer and there is never any doubting of Hussey's temperament and determination but the remaining three are questionable.

Watson is a talented and dynamic cricketer, however, he seems to lack the temperament of a test opener. With his bowling as good as it has ever been, he is more suited to the number 6 or 7 depending on team balance. ALA Gilchrist, he could come in later in the order and completely deflate the opposition with some lusty blows and quick runs and then bowling some valuable swing as the 4th quick. Haddin can also be dynamic but he has that frustrating knack of gifting his wicket to the opposition at crucial times when defence will suffice. His post Gilchrist cameo has been servicable but now is the time for the next long term prospect. Tim Paine absolutely cherishes his wicket and Matt Wade looks to be a very good power player. As for Ponting, well he just looks tired. He has been making runs of late but they have been innings that lacked temperament. At times he has looked bored whilst making another 50 odd then getting out. As much as his contribution to test cricket has been sublime, his addition in this squad will hinder the progress of either Marsh or Khawaja.

BOWLERS - S.Watson, M.Beer, T.Copeland, P.Cummins, R.Harris, M.Johnson, N.Lyon, P.Siddle

No question marks here regarding the quicks. Watsons improvement with the ball has elevated his status as a quint-essential all rounder. Copeland and Cummins look like excellent long term prospects. Neither super quick but both young, enthusiastic and accurate. To have two young quicks developing together is a tantalsiing prospect for fans of Australian cricket. Whilst, Johnson can be erratic, he does have a penchant for hurting South Africans. Harris is a supreme work horse with a massive ticker and Siddle is someone that I beleive we have not seen the best of yet.

The spinner scenario is still a quandry. Included are 2 uncontracted spinners in Beer and Lyon whilst 3 contracted spinners in Hauritz, Krejza and O'Keefe will stay at home and watch the action from their lounges.

Beer and Lyon have 60 odd first class wickets between them and each share the same batting average of 9. Hauritz has more than 60 test wickets to his name and has a batting average of 25. Krezja (12 wickets on test debut) is an aggressive off break bowler whom needs to be given more opportunities and O'Keefe can consider himself unlucky not to get a gig on the spinners merry go round after nudging 60 first class wickets himself from 14 matches including a 7 for and averaging 36 with the bat. Maybe it is time to give him a go.

All in all, I think a hard fought 2 test series in South Africa will be just what the doctor ordered for the Australian test team. It will provide a good indication of how the selectors should sway for a 6 test summer at home. And hopefully those post ashes questions like "should Ponting, Hussey and Haddin have been dropped?" or "Should Watson bat down the order?" or "Can Clarke be good enough to not just captain but retain his spot?" will be answered.

Australia to take the series 1-0.