Rabada’s availability for first Australia Test to be decided ‘as late as possible’

South Africa will decide on fast bowler Kagiso Rabada's availability for the first Test against Australia as late as possible, according to batting coach Ashwell Prince. Rabada has not played red-ball cricket in almost a year due to injury and workload concerns. However, he bowled well during a recent two-day intra-squad match in Durban ahead of Friday's series opener.

South Africa opted to keep an extended 17-player squad together rather than trimming it down, ensuring seven seamers are available to bowl in training. Batter Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while uncapped batsman Marques Ackerman is under consideration for the No. 3 batting position.