‘Nicely and truly on high’: Cummins’ message for ‘assured’ Aussies as last-gasp name looms – LIVE
Sandpapergate revelations loom | 00:30
Dane Heverin from Fox Sports activitiesOctober ninth, 2026 5:28 pm
Australia’s Test staff are again in South Africa for the primary time since Sandpapergate eight years in the past – and the reigning World Test Champions will likely be out to deal the tourists another blow within the first Test in Durban. Live updates under!
The absence of Cameron Green with an abdominal damage has left the visitors with a range dilemma within the first encounter of a blockbuster three-Test series.
It meant that unlike the Proteas, who named their XI on match eve, Australia are set to only affirm their XI at the coin toss at 6pm on Friday evening (AEDT).
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Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson, the latter off a shocking call-up to the Test squad following Josh Inglis’ finger damage, are vying for a single middle-order spot.
Captain Pat Cummins says Australia’s spot atop the World Test Championship factors desk having won 80 per cent of available factors in their present cycle (the reigning champion Proteas sit second at 75 per cent) is effectively earned.
“We are number one in the world and I feel we’re effectively and truly on high of the World Test Championship factors,” Cummins advised SEN and Fox Sports activities commentator Gerard Whateley, who will likely be writing for Fox Cricket all through the South African tour.
“That’s our message to the group – we should be very assured.”
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The Proteas have named a spin-friendly staff for their first Test in nearly 12 months – and their first at residence since early 2025.
Star quick Kagiso Rabada has not been named as he continues his recovery from a hamstring damage, whereas categorical paceman Anrich Nortje is again for his first Test in additional than three years.
With the Durban pitch anticipated to take flip later within the match, spin-bowling duo Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer are set to play crucial roles, with the Aussies struggling in opposition to spin – albeit with a vastly totally different XI – in their latest ODI series in opposition to the Proteas.
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Watch it dwell: On Fox Cricket (channel 501), and streaming on Kayo, from 6pm (AEDT)
Australia:TBD (will likely be introduced at the toss)
South Africa:Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
