Keshav Maharaj makes his debut, as the Proteas choose to bat first in the first Test against Australia at the Waca.
For those of you that have managed to drag yourselves out of bed in time for the first ball you must be commended, and if history is anything to go by, you might want to make it a habit throughout the next five days.
The Proteas have never lost in Perth in a record stretching back to 2005, with their 309-run victory in 2012 sealing the series. Their victory in the first Test in 2008 set up their 2-1 series win too.
2012 was the last time Australia lost a Test series at home, and the Proteas will look to upset Australia’s proud home record once more as they look to maintain their 11-year unbeaten run Down Under.
Russell Domingo’s charges, who have only won two of their last 12 Tests, have opted to hand a debut to Dolphins spinner Keshav Maharaj at the expense of a fourth seamer. Skipper Faf du Plessis revealed that the Waca track is quite dry, which will offer some assistance to the spinners.
To read Tom Sizeland’s five talking points ahead of the first Test, click here.
Australia: David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
South Africa: Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn
Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
