World ODI Cup 2023

Match 10: AUS vs SA

Preview 

South Africa will look to continue their upbeat start to the 2023 World ODI Cup when they the field against the Baggy Greens at the Ekana Sports City, Lucknow on Thursday

The fierce foes were involved in an absorbing five-match series less than a month ago, and the Proteas may be carrying an infinitesimal psychological advantage into this match, having come from behind to win that series 3-2. 

Five time champions Australia were outplayed in all three departments in their opening game against India. Batting first the men in yellow could only muster 199 runs on the scoreboard. None of their batter was able to score a half century or better. 

Pat Cummins and co found it difficult to keep the scoreboard ticking and the batters were seen struggling particularly against slow bowlers. India’s spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin. They applied the chokehold on the opposition and hardly gave any room to the batters to free themselves. 

However, it was not all gloom and doom for Australia as they did have a few positives from the game. Their bowling at the top of the order was decent. The new ball pair of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with three crucial wickets inside the first powerplay. 

They were looking to run away with the game until Virat Kohli and Kl Rahul steadied the ship. 

The Kangaroos were beaten in South Africa early last month followed by a 2-1 series loss against India a couple of months later leading to a dubious record of 2 wins in the last seven matches, one of those came against Pakistan in the warm up matches.

Australia will be eager to come up with a much improved show and open their win tally. They will be bolstered by the return of all rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has been cleared to return to the squad, having overcome the hamstring injury he picked in the series against India last month.  

Meanwhile, their familiar rivals, South Africa couldn’t have asked for a better start to their World Cup campaign, as they created quite a few records scoring a mammoth 428/5 batting first. This was the highest team score in the history of the tournament, beating the previous best of 417.

Following the early dismissal of Temba Bavuma, Quinton De Kock and Rassie Van der Dussen added 204 runs for the second wicket, with both scoring quickfire centuries, but Aiden Markram hogged the limelight, smashing a 49 ball century to secure the fast World Cup fastest century record, which was formerly held by Kevin O’ Brien. 

While their batters look in imperious touch, the same could not be said for their bowlers. The bowling prowess was far from impressive on the day. All five bowlers lacked discipline and conceded more than run a ball.

The Proteas will know that a similar lacklustre performance against a resilient Australian side that has good depth will probably prove costly, and the men in green may be tempted to make subtle changes to their playing combination.    

Ahead of this mouthwatering encounter, let us have a look at how the two sides will fare out on Thursday. 

Match Details

Match: AUS vs SA, 10th Match, World ODI Cup 2023

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM

Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

Pitch and Weather Report

The pitch at Ekana Cricket Stadium has traditionally been favourable for spinners. As we witnessed throughout the Ind T20 League matches played at this venue, spin bowlers have enjoyed ample turn and bounce from the wicket.

36 degree celsius is the projected weather during the day which will drop down to 26 degree celsius in the evening. Dew will come into play in the second innings and will thus be a crucial factor to determine the outcome of the match. 

AUS vs SA Squads

AUS: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Star 

SA: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams

AUS vs SA Probable Playing XIs

AUS: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis/Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

SA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee/Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Match Prediction

The men in yellow are struggling to find their mojo at the moment, while the SA batting lineup has looked menacing over the last few months. Despite the woeful form, one cannot completely write off Australia. They will be hoping their big players will step up and deliver the goods. Expect a closely contested match between these two powerhouses. 

We predict the Proteas to continue their winning momentum. 

Suggested Playing XI Real11 Fantasy Cricket 



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