Last Updated on 10 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
A blockbuster Test series is about to begin, but will the weather be kind? Last month, former South Africa batsman Daryll Cullinan was scathing of the decision to host Australia in October, predicting a series where the bowlers will dominate.
“Kingsmead [Durban] has lost more Test cricket to weather than any ground in the country for the last 20 years,” Cullinan wrote in a piece for Cricinfo. “In October the floodlights will definitely go on, bringing what floodlights always bring: poorer cricket and unhappy batters.”
The first ODI between South Africa and Australia in Durban last month went ahead without interruption. Will the Durban weather be as kind across five days?
Durban weather forecast for first Test between South Africa and Australia
According to AccuWeather, the forecast looks promising across most of the Test. Friday, day one, is expected to be “humid with a sun-and-cloud mix”, a top temperature of 27 degrees, and just an 8% chance of precipitation.
However, day two has the greatest threat of rain. The forecast is for “humid; occasional morning rain and a thunderstorm, then times of clouds and sun in the afternoon.” There is a 60% chance of precipitation, but there should hopefully still be plenty of play.
Days three, four and five look excellent with temperatures in the low 30s and no rain. BBC Weather paints a similar picture, although the platform predicts no rain on day two, which would be a fabulous result.
Such conditions are expected to bring the spin into play. There is talk of playing two spinners, but Australia are unlikely to go with that option, with coach Andrew McDonald saying “it would have to be quite compelling for us to shift into two spinners.”
