Australia tour of South Africa 2023

AUS vs SA, 1st T20I

Preview 

Australia’s tour of South Africa begins tomorrow with the inaugural T20I of the three T20Is. The opening fixture between the two heavyweights will be played at Durban. However, the hosts will not be very pleased with their recent record in the format, as they have managed to win only out of their last five games. Australia on the other hand, have been doing remarkably well, winning three of their last four matches. Both teams will see this as a good   preparatory challenge leading into the marquee event later this year. 

Led by Aiden Makram, the proteas will look to put in a clinical all round performance and make a strong start. They have struggled off late and will be eager to start afresh with a commanding display against the mighty Aussies. Their batting will revolve around the likes of Skipper Makram, Rassie Van Der Dussen and Temba Bavuma. Bavuma in recent times has struggled to pile up runs in white ball cricket. This series will be a great opportunity for the 33 year old to rack some runs and improve his stats in the format. SA can also hand youngster Dewald Brewis his maiden T20I cap. The exciting batter has shone across different leagues this year. In bowling prowess, SA has the quality of Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen in their ranks.  

Veteran all rounder Mitchel Marsh will lead the men in yellow in the absence of Pat Cummins and Steven Smith. Despite the injury concerns, Kangaroos look the stronger side on paper. In the upper echelons of Australia’s batting lineup stands the stalwart and captain Mitchell Marsh. He played a massive role in Australia’s triumphant campaign in the 2022 T20 World Series. Travis Head, Ashton Turner, Tim David and Matthew Wade will be other batters to keep a keen eye on. Uncapped all rounders Matthew Short and Aaron Hardie can make their   debut. The bowling attack includes the likes of Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis and Jason Beherendoff. Spencer Johnson, who was impressive in the domestic circuit can also get his debut international cap. Ahead of this riveting encounter, let us have a look at how the two teams will fare out on Wednesday. 

Match Details

Match: SA vs AUS, 1st T20I, Australia tour of South Africa, 2023

Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Time: 9:30 PM

Venue: Kingsmead, Durban

Pitch and Weather Report

Kingsmead has though been good for batting, pacers get good assistance with the new balls. The teams batting first have won 10 of the 19 T20Is played here with 146 being the average first innings total. 

Clear skies with a maximum temperature of 22 degree celsius is projected.

SA vs AUS Squads

SA: Aiden Markram (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams

AUS: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa, Matthew Wade

SA vs AUS Probable Playing XIs

SA: Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs (WK), Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.

AUS: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa.

Match Prediction

Australia despite being the visitors will start this game as favourites. They have a well rounded squad with an attacking captain. South Africa, on the other hand, will look to utilise the home conditions and come up with a strong display in the series opener. 

We predict Australia to draw first blood. 

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