All change for hosts and visitors South Africa v Australia, 2011-2012

South Africa v Australia, October 18, Centurion
Start time 1430 (1230 GMT, 23.30 EDT, 23.00 CDT, 20.30 WST)

Australia and South Africa have shared a theme of all change since both endured earlier World Cup exits than they had bargained for. Had the two teams faced each other in that tournament, it would have been with different captains, different coaches and arguably different approaches to the contest. In each case there is now also an element of the incomplete transition. Australia are touring with an interim coach, Troy Cooley, while Cricket Australia casts its net widely for a new man to fill the role. South Africa will be led by a stand-in captain in Hashim Amla while AB de Villiers continues his recovery from a broken finger.

 

A point of contrast between the two sides is the cricket they have played since the World Cup. South Africa have enjoyed an extended break from the game, allowing the new coach Gary Kirsten to settle into his position after leaving India at the conclusion of the World Cup. Though Australia also had a break after the cup, it was interspersed with a brief visit to Bangladesh where the visitors claimed a 3-0 sweep, then a successful tour of Sri Lanka where both the ODI and Test series were won by Michael Clarke's men. 

Now Australia have the benefit of a deep and fully fit battery of fast bowlers, with the teenager Pat Cummins a most enticing new addition. South Africa must find the correct balance under Kirsten and Amla, though in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Jacques Kallis and Amla himself there is one of the most accomplished senior groups in world cricket.