Australia v South Africa first Test predictions and cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets & analysis for Australia v South Africa in the first Test at the Gabba, starting on Saturday.

Where to watch

Australia v South Africa, first Test
BT Sport 3, 12.20am Friday night

Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers, Big Bash League
Sky Sports Mix, 8.05am Saturday morning

Best bet

Scott Boland top Australia first-innings wicket-taker
1pt 7-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

Preview

Australia have not won a home Test series against South Africa in 16 years but they are shaping up well ahead of this winter's highly-anticipated three-match series against the Proteas, which starts at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday.

South Africa have prevailed on each of their last three visits down under - in 2008-09, 2012-13 and 2016-17 - but the Aussies sit comfortably atop the current World Test Championship standings and are fresh from a confidence-boosting series win over the West Indies.

Australia beat the Windies by 164 runs and 419 runs in two matches at the start of December and they are 2-9 to record another series triumph against South Africa.

A key battle of the contest will be between the two high-class bowling units, which both contain top-quality pacemen.

Australia have faced a couple of selection headaches in that department with Josh Hazlewood set to miss the first Test, while captain Pat Cummins was absent for the second match against the Windies but is expected to return.

One bowler definitely in line to feature, though, is Scott Boland, who was the unlikely hero of Australia's Ashes triumph last year and took three wickets in one over against the Windies last week.

Boland has played only four Tests but has taken 21 wickets and could be Australia's most potent bowler at the Gabba.

The Big Bash continues later on Saturday morning with a rematch of last season's final between champions Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers.

The Scorchers are marginal favourites at 9-10 to again come up trumps.

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