Key factors that could decide the South Africa-Australia Test series

AUSTRALIA'S DOMINANT BATSMEN
The trend of Australian batsmen enjoying success in South Africa began all the way back in 1902-03, when Clem Hill amassed 327 runs in three Tests.

At least one Australian batsman has scored more than 300 runs on a tour on 11 out of 14 occasions, with the exceptions coming in 1969-70, 1993-94, and 2011-12. Interestingly, Australia lost the 1969-70 tour, and drew the other two. Neil Harvey had a phenomenal season in 1949-50, blasting 660 runs in five matches at a staggering average of 132, including four hundreds. He received admirable support from Arthur Morris (422) and Lindsay Hassett (402). Australia won that series 4-1.

In more recent years, current vice-captain David Warner enjoyed a prolific series in 2013-14, averaging a whopping 90.5 with three centuries and two 50s in just six innings. Steve Smith began his career resurgence on that same tour, where he scored 269 runs in five innings at 67.25 with one hundred and one fifty. Since then, Smith has become the highest-rated Test batsman since Sir Donald Bradman, scoring 4965 runs at 76.38 with 20 tons and 18 half-centuries.

With Warner’s past record in South Africa and Smith’s current standing in world cricket, it is likely that Australia’s record in South Africa will remain prolific.

FIERY PACE ATTACK
While Australian batsmen have typically succeeded in South Africa, their pace bowlers have often been the deciding factor. Mitchell Johnson blew South Africa away in 2013-14, snaring 22 wickets in three Tests and taking two five-wicket hauls. His spell of 7-68 in the first Test at Centurion set the tone for the rest of the series. Stuart Clark was similarly destructive in 2005-06, where he took 20 wickets in three Tests and played a large role in Australia's 3-0 whitewash. Other pacers like Glenn McGrath (29 wickets), Brett Lee (27), Alan Davidson (25), Jason Gillespie (22), and Alan Connolly (20) have also enjoyed success in South Africa.

This time around, Australia arrive with arguably the finest and most versatile pace attack in world cricket. Mitchell Starc has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, and could play a Johnson-like role. Josh Hazlewood is similar to Clark in his precision and subtle movement in the air and off the pitch. Pat Cummins will be eager to return to the country where he made his Test debut in 2011. Cummins had announced himself by giving Jacques Kallis a thorough working-over en route to taking 6-79 and helping Australia restrict the hosts to what was eventually a chasable total.

But South Africa’s pace attack is not too far behind either. Kagiso Rabada is one of the best fast bowlers around, Vernon Philander is a threat on any pitch with a little movement, and Lungi Ngidi gave an excellent account of himself in the recent series against India.

LACK OF QUALITY WRIST SPIN
Pacemen may have stolen the headlines, but wrist spin has been the unsung Australian hero in South Africa. Shane Warne enjoyed tremendous success, with 61 wickets in 12 Tests at 24.31. Clarrie Grimmett (44 wickets at 14.59), Richie Benaud (30 wickets at 21.93), and Bill O'Reilly (27 wickets at 17.03) had admirable records in South Africa as well. Even Michael Bevan (9 wickets at 19.55) had South African batsmen hopping. However, Australian finger spinners are another story. Ian Johnson (18 wickets at 24.22) did well, but Bob Cowper (10 wickets at 30.10) and Nathan Lyon (12 wickets at 36) were largely pedestrian.

This time, Lyon is joined by Jon Holland, who last played a Test in 2016 and whose first-class record is far from inspiring. With Imran Tahir having fallen away somewhat in recent years, South Africa are lacking a good wrist spinner too, but they have the wiles of Keshav Maharaj. Lyon had the better of Moeen Ali in the recent Ashes series. We could see another battle of the spinners on this tour.

AB DE VILLIERS 
South African batsman AB de Villiers spent the better past of last year out with injury, but he returned to his high-scoring ways immediately on comeback. He was the standout batsman and often the difference between victory and defeat in the Proteas' recent series win over India.

De Villiers has played four home series against Australia, scoring 970 runs at 51.05. With the pitches in South Africa likely to be of a similar nature to what they were against India recently, de Villiers' could be the only one standing between Australia and another series win.

Can Australia keep de Villiers quiet? This series could well be decided by which team’s talismanic batsman - Smith or de Villiers - enjoys more success.