SA, Oz delayed by rain

Cape Town - Rain delayed the start of the first Test between South Africa and Australia at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Heavy rain began falling 15 minutes before the scheduled toss to the frustration of fans and players alike.

South Africa have one or two selection issues. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is expected to make his Test debut with left-arm spinner Paul Harris, all-rounder Vernon Philander and left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe all battling it out for a place in the playing XI.

Jacques Rudolph will return to Test cricket after an absence of five years while Ashwell Prince is expected to edge out JP Duminy in the batting line-up.

Australia are a settled outfit with the only question mark being around which bowler will be named as the third seamer behind Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.

Peter Siddle, Pat Cummins and Trent Copeland are all in the mix with Siddle considered to be the front-runner.

Teams

South Africa (probable) – Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Rudolph, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

Australia (probable) – Shane Watson, Philip Hughes, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon.