Steve Smith Expects Tough Test Against South Africa
The match will feature five of the top 10 ranked bowlers in the world, as well as four of the leading 10 batters, making it a must-watch for cricket fans. The use of the Dukes ball and the conditions at Lord's will add an extra layer of complexity to the game, and it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt and perform under pressure.
The World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's is expected to be a closely contested match, with both teams boasting strong bowling line-ups and experienced batsmen. Australian captain Steve Smith and South African batsman Shukri Conrad have expressed confidence in their respective teams' abilities, despite the emphasis on bowling in the pre-final buzz.
The use of the Dukes ball in the final is expected to favor the batters, with its flatter seam and less pronounced movement compared to the Kookaburra. However, Smith believes that the Dukes can swing for longer, and it's essential to use this to the batter's advantage. The South African team has had limited exposure to the Dukes ball, but they have made adjustments after their warm-up match against Zimbabwean opposition, and have also received valuable insights from England's Stuart Broad.
Smith expects a tough examination from South Africa's pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, but also believes that spin will play a significant role in the game as the surface dries out. The Australian captain has a good record at Lord's, with 525 runs in five matches, and is excited to face South Africa. South Africa's coach, Shukri Conrad, remains quietly confident of an upset victory, citing the team's batting line-up's confidence and the experience of players like Rabada and Jansen.
The stage is set for a thrilling contest between two of the world's top teams, with the WTC final promising to be a closely contested and exciting match. With both teams boasting strong line-ups and experienced players, it's difficult to predict a clear winner, but one thing is certain - the match will be a testament to the skill and determination of the players involved.