Overview

• South Africa’s January Test remains their only match since and a rain-hit four-day game with Zimbabwe deprived them of practice.
• Markram insists the squad’s habit of starting strongly in short series will offset their limited recent game time.
• They qualified for the final after winning seven consecutive Tests but have played far fewer matches than defending champions Australia.
• Five players remain from last year’s T20 World Cup final loss but Markram says the red-ball unit has learned from past disappointments.
• Markram will open against Australia’s potent attack while Kagiso Rabada spearheads South Africa’s pace bowling.