SA vs AUS 2018: Australia Announces Unchanged XI for Port Elizabeth Test

Amidst the Warner-De Kock altercation case, Aussie skipper Steven Smith spoke about some cricket and mentioned the playing XI for Australia would remain the same in the 2^nd Test in Port Elizabeth.

Australia will be fielding the same XI for the 3^rd consecutive time. However, it must be noted the lead up to the 2^nd Test has been overshadowed by the stairwell incident involving Quinton de Kock and David Warner.

While Warner was charged with Level 2 offence and fined 75% of his match fees, De Kock was charged with level 1 offence and was slapped 25% of his match fees.

He also lost his appeal with match referee Jeff Crowe on Wednesday night. Smith took the team to Australia’s only full training session. Australia will look to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

“I pulled the guys together this morning, just the playing group and said ‘let’s not let these incidents overshadow the way we played and get in the way of the way we want to play in this series’,” Smith said.

“It’s about continuing to play a good, hard, aggressive brand but knowing we don’t want to cross the line; we want to stay within the spirit of the game and let cricket be the main thing on the show. A lot has been made of ‘the line’ – the invisible demarcation separating what is personal and not personal when it comes to sledging – after de Kock allegedly crossed it when he reportedly made a derogatory comment about Warner’s wife, Candice, to spark the stairwell altercation,” Smith said.

Smith takes responsibility for the actions of his players

As a skipper, Smith said he takes the responsibilities for the actions of his players being the captain of the side.

“I think you know when you say something personal about someone,” he said.

“I think it’s reasonably obvious, and what Quinton said to Davey was certainly personal. There’s no doubt about that. I’m pleased with Davey that he stuck his hand up, said he made a mistake, and he could handle things better.

“He’s accepted his charge, and we’ll move on from that. As captain, you take responsibility of your team and what’s going on, so I do take responsibility for that. Whether I could have done anything to change the events of what happened in the last Test, I’m not sure, but I do take responsibility.”

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