Australia and South Africa set for three-Test series

Australia and South Africa are scheduled to open a three-Test series at Kingsmead in Durban on October 9, with questions over player fitness and selection shaping preparations for the first match. It will be Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, but the teams’ immediate concern is assembling their lineups. South Africa’s batting coach, Ashwell Prince, said five bowlers in the squad had been affected by illness. He also said Kagiso Rabada bowled in a Durban warm-up on September 30 and October 1, but his selection for the opening Test was still unconfirmed. Other reports described Rabada as working toward a return from a hamstring injury. His availability remains unresolved. Australia also have a selection issue: allrounder Cameron Green is injured, according to a series preview, leaving a possible opening at number five for Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson. The final lineups had not been confirmed in the reports. South Africa’s batting order is also the subject of selection speculation, including who will play at number three.