Australia aim for first South Africa Test series win in seven years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

Australia can become the first touring team to win a Test series in South Africa in almost seven years with victory in the second Test starting on Sunday in Gqeberha. Victory would rank as one of Australia's best overseas series wins in more than a decade. Their 1-0 win in Pakistan across three Tests in 2022 currently tops that list, with Pakistan pushing Australia for 15 days in that series before the visitors won the third Test in Lahore in the final session.

Winning Test series on the road is considered a yardstick of greatness in cricket. Over the past decade, touring teams have won only 28 per cent of away Test series. Australia have claimed four of their past 11 overseas series, with victories in Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies over the past five years. They have also twice retained the Ashes in England, with those tours marked as success by returning the urn without necessarily winning the series outright.

Victory in South Africa would be particularly notable given the Proteas are ranked number two in the world and beat Pat Cummins' side in the Test Championship final last year. Josh Hazlewood, Australia's fast bowler, said that winning away measures teams but noted that South African conditions can be similar to Australian conditions, which may explain the success both teams have enjoyed in each other's country.

How it is being reported

• Australia eye landmark success in trilogy of Test toursAustralia will become the first team to win a Test series in South Africa in seven years with victory in Gqeberha, setting up a big 10 months for the team.The West Australian · 17 Oct, 00:01
• Australia eye landmark success in trilogy of Test toursAustralia will become the first team to win a Test series in South Africa in seven years with victory in Gqeberha, setting up a big 10 months for the team.Perth Now · 17 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Australia · South Africa · Gqeberha · Pakistan · Pat Cummins · Josh Hazlewood

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