Aussie batsmen licking their lips

Adam Gilchrist enjoys batting at Perth and unluckily for South Africa, he is due a big innings © Getty Images

You have to feel a bit sorry for South Africa. Not only could they be without Jacques Kallis - their best player - for the first Test against Australia on Friday, they have to deal with the fact that the WACA in Perth has been one of the happiest hunting grounds for several of the home side's top order.

On what is traditionally a fast, high bouncing track, captain Ricky Ponting averages 55, Matthew Hayden 66 and Justin Langer 49. But it's the home favourite, Adam Gilchrist who loves playing there most of all, averaging a whopping 76. Considering that the strength of the Australia team means he only usually bats once there, that's pretty impressive. He may have been criticised a bit of late for some sloppy dismissals but he is world class and it would be no surprise to see him produce a big innings this weekend.

Ponting tops the betting with bet365 to be top scorer in the first innings at 100/30 (4.33) while Hayden and Langer are both 4/1 (5.00). Relative new boys Michael Hussey and Brad Hodge are 5/1 (6.00) and 6/1 (7.00) respectively but Gilchrist could prove to be the best value at 15/2 (8.50) favourite.

With Kallis doubtful - he is still 100/30 (4.33) to be his side's top scorer - captain Graeme Smith is an understandable favourite at 3/1 (4.00). The left-hander has only faced the Australians twice, so there is not much to go on, but he is a classy player.

Herschelle Gibbs is 4/1 (5.00) and AB de Villiers 5/1 (6.00), but an interesting one is Justin kemp. In the mould of Lance Klusener, Kemp is a big hitter who so far in his career has produced whenever his side needs him. At 7/1 (8.00) he is worth an interest.