The Gabba versus Centurion

In 18 Tests since its debut in a draw with England in 1995, Centurion has witnessed 14 victories for the hosts, three draws

and only one defeat, to Nasser Hussain's tourists in 2000.

That this lone loss was a result contrived by Hansie Cronje for reasons other than "making a game of it"   

says much for how strong South Africa's hold has been, bearing comparison with Australia's supreme record at the Gabba

over the same period.

Much like Brisbane's tendency to catch under-prepared touring teams on a surface offering pace, bounce and movement to

Australia's fast men ;

Centurion has been characterised by the dominance of South Africa's quicks in the rarefied air of the Highveld.

Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander would not choose to bowl anywhere else. 

On a dead rubber in 1997, Allan Donald and Brett Schulz dominated, Australia's batsmen wilted :


and Ian Healy was suspended for throwing his bat in reaction to a questionable caught behind dismissal.

South Africa's quicks at Centurion

• Dale Steyn, 6 Tests, 36 wickets at 17.61

• Morne Morkel, 4 Tests, 17 wickets at 23.41

• Vernon Philander, 2 Tests, 12 wickets at 13.66

                We just want to go dart the rhino and have some fun  


South Africa coach Russell Domingo on what South Africa will be doing over the next two days, ahead of their series against Australia

I'm thinking Oz batsmen would proper exposed this series. No way in hell they can stonewall against this attack. Although the other thing is, Oz bowlers are class, so you're gonna get a tough series with SA's choke tendency and their batting being somewhat iffy itself.

But advantage SA, I'd still say.

LOL... this should be a good competitive series and a yardstick as to how far AUS has come back from their former winning days  ...  but SA all the way !!!

yep , my friend Downunda may NOT like this BUT OZ will get a real TEST outside of OZ....

Eventually you'll get a team right

This will be an amazing series, a real test for us indeed. SA aren't number one by fluke