At Newlands, Australia's test is about more than bat and ball

The Australian national team returns to the Newlands ground on Tuesday, a venue where one of the darkest days in the country's cricket history took place. For some players, the third test against South Africa, which will decide the series, will not be just a technical contest.

The name that draws the most attention in this match is former captain Steve Smith. Smith was at the centre of the Sandpapergate scandal of 2018, which involved tampering with the ball. He paid the price for the great backlash of that time. Current captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon were also in that squad. However, all three say they had no knowledge of the sandpaper used to alter the shape of the ball.

Smith has not produced the expected performances in this tournament, and his batting average has stayed around twenty. Australian player Travis Head said Smith is mentally strong. Head said Smith has often come out stronger from this kind of pressure.

The series is currently level at one match each. In the first two matches, both teams recorded big victories. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey said the Newlands pitch is of a quality that will offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. No test match has been played at Newlands in October. In November, three matches were played there, and all three were against Australia.

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje will not take part in this match because he injured his groin in the second test. Captain Temba Bavuma said they will decide who replaces him according to the opponent and the pitch. Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy are among the candidates.