Can solidify their status in the longest format by becoming the first team to win two World Test Championship titles
Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates the fall of a wicket with his teammates. Pic/AFP
Australia
Strengths: Possess a formidable pace attack led by skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc along with veteran batters like Steve Smith, Travis Head and Usman Khawaja who can dominate the opposition.
Weaknesses: Still searching for Usman Khawaja’s permanent opening partner post-David Warner’s retirement. Sam Konstas and Travis Head have been tried but defending champions are likely to go with Marnus Labuschagne to open here for the first time in his career.
Opportunities: Can solidify their status in the longest format by becoming the first team to win two World Test Championship titles.
Threat: South Africa’s pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada could cause problems for Australia’s new opening stand, which could put their batting line-up under immense pressure.
South Africa
Strengths: Besides a good pace attack, batters Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham and Tristan Stubbs have shown promise. Skipper Temba Bavuma is in top form too, scoring 609 runs in last seven Tests, including two centuries and four half-centuries.
Weaknesses: The ‘chokers’ tag has always put pressure on SA in the knockout stages of major ICC tournaments. They lost the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final to India after being in a strong position.
Opportunities: Despite SA topping the WTC table, the Australians are seen as favourites, thereby reducing the pressure on the Proteas who are looking to end a 27-year ICC trophy drought — they last won the ICC Knockout Trophy in 1998 (now known as the Champions Trophy).
Threat: Australia’s strong all-round side have a wealth of experience playing in high-pressure situations and have an outstanding record of winning ICC titles which can put pressure on the Proteas.
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