two-match series on their last visit in 2014. Jake Ball twice dismissed Joe Root during Nottinghamshires Championship match against Yorkshire But Root said: It would be silly to be arrogant and think

It might not quite be the Ashes or India-Pakistan, but a series between Australia and South Africa has its own appeal. The two sides are competitive, intense, evenly matched, and bring the best and worst out of each other.Over the last eight years, Australia-South Africa contests have been especially epic: both teams have overcome the others home advantage, legendary captains have retired, and records have been made and broken.Heres a quick recap.2008: South Africa successfully chased 414 in Perth and won again in Melbourne - their first series victory in Australia.2011: Australia were bowled out for 47 in Cape Town, before sneaking to a two-wicket win in Johannesburg to draw the two-Test series.2012: A stonewalling in Adelaide that has become the stuff of legend.On the day, it was a show of defiance. In the context of the series, it shifted the momentum. For the players involved, it was defining. It was where Faf du Plessis showed the character that led to him becoming a stand-in captain. It was where Peter Siddle learned to lead an attack. It was where Nathan Lyon played his first real Test.I realised I was playing Test match cricket and teams dont just roll over, Lyon told ESPNcricinfo.Far from it. Usman Khawaja, who was not playing in that Adelaide Test, admitted what a lot of people would have been thinking. I was expecting Australia to win.South Africa finished day four on 77 for 4 in their chase of 430. Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla were out. Jacques Kallis was injured. Du Plessis was on debut. Even though Australia also had a casualty in James Pattinson, they thought themselves halfway home.When youve got debutants coming in, you know they might perform well because the reason they are getting an opportunity is because they are skillful, Siddle said. You think he might bat for a little while but then you might get him out. Hes nervous, its his first test, it wont last.But it did. And partly because of who du Plessis had at the other end. His childhood friend, AB de Villiers; the inventor of some of the most ingenious strokes in the modern game was not interested in anything other than the block. De Villiers scored 33 off 220 balls at a strike rate of 15 - a run every seven balls he faced - and did not breach the boundary once. It was an incredible show of restraint from a player who is known for scoring quickly.When Lyon called their partnership unbelievable, he was not saying so in the way the word is casually used. He really meant it.Australia tried everything under the sun, as Siddle remembers it. Michael Clarke bowled first change and went on to deliver 18 overs. Du Plessis was given out twice off him, both times lbw, both times overturned on review.Rob Quiney bowled, Ricky Ponting bowled, David Warner bowled. Nathan Lyon bowled more than anyone else, but in the absence of Pattinson, the responsibility fell chiefly on Siddle. He bore it bravely, even when it became difficult and even as he knew he was probably bowling himself out of contention for the final game.The first thing I learned was that I hope none of your fast bowling buddies go down injured again, Siddle joked. But personally, the biggest thing is putting yourself through that and knowing you can do it. Even though it cost me in the end. I didnt end up playing in Perth.Four years and a few injuries later, Siddle can see beyond the exhaustion of that day and reflects fondly on what the match did for Test cricket. People always talk about Test cricket dying and all those types of things, but that was exciting. They are the challenges you love about Test cricket. You dont get to see stuff like that in other forms of the game.Thats the great thing about Test cricket. The different challenges, the tactics, how it goes up and down from one side to the other. You dont mind if teams have to play defensively sometimes, thats also what Test cricket is about. Its not about trying to win every match. I am a traditionalist. I have always loved the longer form.Like Siddle, Lyon also appreciates the experience, although he certainty does not want to relive it.It helped me grow as a person and it helped our bowling group grow as well, he said. I have much better memories of 2014 though.2014: That year, Australia traveled to South Africa with revenge on the agenda. Mitchell Johnson was, in Khawajas words, terrorising everyone in world cricket at the time.South Africa had stayed No.1 all through that period, information that didnt mean much to Johnson. He tore through them at SuperSport Park, a venue where South Africa have been more successful at than any other, before Steyn returned the favour in Port Elizabeth.The series went down to a decider in Cape Town, where Smith announced his retirement mid-match and South Africa threatened another blockathon to save the game.Ryan Harris was the man with ball in hand then, and in the final hour on the final day, he removed a stubborn Morne Morkel to maintain Australias record of never losing a Test series in South Africa post-readmission. South Africa suffered their first defeat since being crowned No. 1. In a way its weird. You dont usually lose on your home soil, and then go over there and win, Siddle said.But thats exactly how South Africa and Australia have played it for the last eight years. South Africa have won in Australia, Australia have won in South Africa, and all the meetings have been intriguing.At a time when world cricket needs introspection over the questions of scheduling, possible expansion, and the place of T20 leagues, to have a rivalry this rich is a reminder of how unique international, long-form cricket is. If the 2016 edition of Australia versus South Africa is anything like the previous ones, theres nothing else youd want to be watching. Nathan Lyon agrees.To have two good teams going at it is exceptional for world cricket and it shows how good Test match cricket is.Hunter Renfrow Youth Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Willie Brown Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Jim-Otto-Elite-Jersey/ . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Dave Casper Jersey .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Ronnie Lott Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle.Joe Root has backed Alex Hales and Nick Compton to answer their critics when England take on Sri Lanka next week.Both batsmen are in a 12-man squad for the first Test at Headingley despite speculation they could miss out in the wake of up-and-down winter performances in South Africa.Neither scored a hundred during a four-match Test series, with opener Hales averaging just 17 and No 3 Compton under 31. But the only change to the batting personnel has seen Hampshire captain James Vince come in for James Taylor, whose sudden retirement left a place in the squad up for grabs.And Root told Sky Sports News HQ: We see these guys play a lot, we spend a lot of time together as a squad and we know what theyre capable of doing. Selectors kept the faith with Alex Hales (left) and Nick Compton Ive got every confidence in those guys ahead of me to go in and make big scores. Theyll want to prove a lot of people wrong whove been doubting them, and its a very exciting time for them.Vince, who is capped at one-day international and T20 level, is likely to make a first Test appearance after a decent start to the County Championship season including a century against Roots Yorkshire.James played extremely well against Yorkshire a few weeks ago, Root said. Hes been one of the guys over the past couple of years who have kept proving themselves.Englands other uncapped call-up, Nottinghamshire seam bowler Jake Ball, has also enjoyed success against Yorkshire this season and twice dismissed Root during a Division One game at Trent Bridge. Who is Jake Ball? A look at Englands new seamer He did for me, Root said.dddddddddddd He was far too good for me, and hes a very talented cricketer.England will face tourists who have had to deal with the retirements of Test greats Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara since they won a two-match series on their last visit in 2014. Jake Ball twice dismissed Joe Root during Nottinghamshires Championship match against Yorkshire But Root said: It would be silly to be arrogant and think were going to wipe the floor with them. They have a lot of guys with a lot of talent who could do some special things in Test cricket.Roots team-mate Stuart Broad added: There is a bit of revenge to be had.I played in the Test matches at the start of 2014 and that was a tough time to play. It was quite an emotional series, it really hurt us as a team to lose in our own conditions.We know when we play Sri Lanka they play with a lot of pride and passion. Theyre always in the battle and they beat us in that battle last time.Vitality is partnering with England cricketer Joe Root who will take on the role of Ambassador. Joe will use his passion for healthy living to inspire everyone to be active and make positive changes to their lifestyle. Please visit www.vitality.co.uk for further information.Also See:Vince, Ball get England callWho is Jake Ball?England fixtures/resultsGet Sky Sports ' ' '