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The draw is favourite at 11/8 with Paddy Power
Australia are
South Africa are 5/2 with Boylesports
After the turmoils of the past week or so South Africa will be glad to get back out onto the field to play some cricket. The Ashwell Prince saga has not done them - nor the player - any favours and has left them looking and feeling a bit daft. Did he refuse the captaincy or was it taken off him? Either way it looks a bit of a mess and out of the mess comes a reluctant captain in Jacques Kallis, as if he hasn't enough to do with his batting, bowling and not forgetting his fielding in the slips.
One man quick to jump on this is Australia captain Ricky Ponting who was only too happy to share his views on this issue while pointing out that the disruption could upset the camp and even hinting that Prince is sulking when saying "You can understand the reason he was disgruntled in the first place I guess, being the vice-captain and being left out of the side, but when opportunities come around like that I think any Australian would grab that with both hands".
He then went on to question whether or not Kallis can handle doing the lot by adding "I don't think Kallis is the sort of guy that would be jumping up and down to do the captaincy, knowing the sort of laid-back guy he is on the field. He's got enough on his plate anyway with being a top four batter and an allrounder. He's someone who bowls 20 overs an innings for them. We saw something similar when England came to Australia in 2006-07 and Flintoff was captain. When you are an allrounder you already have a lot to think about so that won't make his job any easier".
After seemingly bringing an end to opener Neil McKenzies international career by dropping him South Africa look set to open up with Imraan Khan and Ashwell Prince while Albie Morkel has the bitter sweet experience of making his test debut at the expense of his brother. The Australians have a slight doubt over Marcus North who has a stomach bug, apart from that it seems a straight contest between Bryce McGain's spin and Andrew McDonald for a bowling spot, expect both to play if North dosen't make it.
Teams
South Africa (probable) Imraan Khan, Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis (C), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (WK), Albie Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini
Australia (probable) Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (C), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (WK), Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Bryce McGain, Ben Hilfenhaus.
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