To the Wanderers we go for the next segment in what will hopefully be South Africa’s crowning as the best test side in the world.
Whilst the Proteas have had a few weeks to freshen up, and many have taken time away from the cricket field, the Aussies have had a few weeks of tough competition against the Kiwis, and a tour game.

If I was Graeme Smith i’d choose to bowl first if I won the toss. The Wanderers wicket usually has something in it for the first day or so, and with their lack of cricket recently, bowling first will allow them to get back into the swing of things with less pressure. If we can bowl the Aussies out cheaply, and then make a decent total, their inexperience might tell.

I do think the Aussies will change tactics a bit when bowling. I think they’ll test Duminy with the shorter ball like they got him out in Perth, but they may lack the firepower to really make it count. Duminy will be happy to let the ball go and his class will get him through without any problems. I also think they’ll try the same against Amla, but Amla also has a fantastic temperment and will do the same. This time we need to cash in with more centuries. I’m sure Smith and Duminy will get another one, but this time Kallis and Amla need to come to the party, and McKenzie needs some deent scores too. With the inexperience of the Aussie attack, if we see off the new ball we can really cash in.

Our bowlers should be refeshed and raring to go. Steyn has been out playing with crocodiles! He’ll be looking to charge in and should get more swing than he did in Australia. But he’ll need better support from Ntini and Morkel this time around. If we have them on the ropes we have to make it count. It will put tremendous pressure on Ponting, Hussey and Clarke.

I’m expecting a result wicket at the Wanderers and for South Africa to go 1-0 up. Bring it on…