Match: Australia v South Africa, 1st Test
Date: 3 November, Thursday
Time: 10:30am SGT/8am IST/3:30am BST
Venue: Western Australian Cricket Association Ground, Perth
TV Channel: In Singapore, the live TV Coverage of the first Test between Australia and South Africa will be on Star Cricket.
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Overview
Australia host South Africa in the first of the three-match Test series at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Ground, Perth, from 3 November.
The upcoming series will be a test of character for Steve Smith's men, who suffered their first-ever whitewash in a five-match One Day International bilateral series in South Africa last month. Australia were completely outplayed on all five occasions, in which the hosts' batsmen made merry.
However, Smith would be hoping for better results as their seasoned campaigners Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood return for the all important home series. While the former has recovered from an injury, the latter comes back after being rested.
Australian batting unit, despite featuring experienced batting stars, was humbled by South African pacers in the recently concluded ODI series. However, David Warner, who smashed a 173 in the final match was the leading run-scorer of the series.
Shaun Marsh has edged out Joe Burns to seal his spot at the top with David Warner. The 33-year-old was one among the two Australians to score a century during their 3-0 Test whitewash in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Usman Khawaja, who has been called into the side to bat at first drop, would want to seal his place as well.
On the other hand, South Africa will be without AB de Villiers once again. While the right-hander's absence did not make much of a difference at home, it might prove tricky Down Under. The onus will now fall on Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis. Quinton de Kock, who has been enjoying good batting form, will also look to make an impact in Australia.
South African pacers will enjoy the conditions in Australia that are similar to the ones back home. The visitors will have Dale Steyn leading the pace attack and has the likes of Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and youngster Kagiso Rabada to trouble the inconsistent Australian batting unit.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Star Cricket
India: Star Sports
UK: BT Sport
US: Willow TV
Team News
Australia
Possible XI: David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon
South Africa
Possible XI: Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar, Rilee Rossouw, Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander
