Heading into the first ODI between Australia and South Africa, both sides are hoping for an extremely competitive matchup during this longer format to further bolster their rankings. As the Aussies are currently 3rd amongst all teams in 50/50 matches, they will hope to continue showing strength in these upcoming games and give their younger pieces more experience.
Since both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are ruled out, Australia’s new-look roster should definitely provide a little insight into who could be regular selections for this team during 50-over matches during future times. Seeing that captain Mitchell Marsh will once again be this unit’s leader, he has already shown what kind of influence plus confidence he instills in teammates.
Looking to make up for their last ODI which was a tough loss against India in Champions Trophy play, this side is ready to once again show why they can be world beaters.
Meanwhile, South Africa is hoping for a way to make up their tough T20I series loss against the Aussies and there is no better way than beating them in a longer format. Building their way to try removing that “choker” tag, winning these three matches could do a ton for understanding tactics on closing out games against tougher teams.
With South Africa group having already beat Australia in the World Test Championship, some of their pieces from that match like Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj, return to South Africa’s side for 50/50 matches despite Marco Jansen still being ruled out. The biggest of these returns is captain Temba Bavuma, whose soft-spoken manner and play are key guides to help this team get out of tense situations.
Australia: Batting Order Is Very Formidable From Top To Bottom
For Australia, their unit includes several pieces that can have some absolutely massive performances with the bat and make big impacts in the context of each match. The likely openers will be Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head once again after showcasing their full ability as a duo in the shortest format.
Looking at Marsh, specifically, he’s going to be playing his first ODI match in almost 11 months and hopes to build a similar batting style to his T20 game. Someone who has hit 2794 runs and 19 half-centuries during 50/50 matches, he’s looking for a chance to improve upon a 35.82 average that was accumulated after the captain lost a bit of his hitting touch. On the other side, Travis Head is a left-handed batsman who can continue hammering shots all over the ground and also add some very classy abilities to create drives.
Having hit 17 fifties and averaging 43.92 runs per match, he will be a lethal option with Marnus Labuschagne coming in at one-down. Being a piece that has dominated the test format a lot, over recent years, it has somewhat translated to the ODI game, and he’s been able to play favorable sweep shots throughout innings. Nearing 2,000 runs, he will start this group’s middle-order with Josh Inglis and Cameron Green coming in to make an impact later on.
As Inglis has slowly become a regular starter for this side, his mix of power-hitting and wonderous shots is going to be a wonderful replacement for previously retired Glenn Maxwell. Seeing that Cooper Connolly, 10 runs during 4 matches, has struggled a bit to replace Marcus Stoinis so far, this could finally end up being the series where he shows full potential. Coming in at 6 or 7-down, wicketkeeper Alex Carey will potentially come in and add to his 2,149 runs during 80 matches. To close it out, Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett have shown ability to add runs down the order during recent series.
Australia: New-Look Bowling Attack Could Potentially Prove To Be Very Lethal
As the Aussies bowlers in this match will be names most people are not accustomed to, they have a chance of making themselves household figures after the game. In this match, the most well-known piece is Josh Hazlewood as he continues remaining a premier pace threat no matter what style of cricket it is. Having taken 138 wickets in just 91 ODIs, his ability to swing the ball both ways with pace has allowed for this Australian right-handed legend to keep his economy under 4.60.
Meanwhile, if Cooper Connolly does not get selected in the playing 11, Nathan Ellis will be there and continue proving why he has the potential to be one of the best bowlers for this side. A pacer who always seems to attack the stumps, he has picked up 15 wickets in just 12 matches and just really needs to lower his economy from 7.84.
Talking about Xavier Bartlett, this is a fast bowler who has had tons of wicket-taking success recently, but just hasn’t played enough to get his name heard amongst all fans. Getting 8 people out in just two matches, he’s been a real breakout star and also has tended to be economical by allowing fewer than 2.5 runs per over.
Coming in from the left end, Ben Dwarshuis should continue being a medium-pacer who can bowl at similar line and lengths consistently, while causing batsmen to continuously nick to the slips. Picking up 9 wickets during his first 5 matches, he will create an angle that many right-handed batsmen have a poor time handling. To round it out, this side’s main spinner is Adam Zampa, as he will continue turning the ball and look to build on previous success.
South Africa: Stacked Lineup Looks Like A New Era of Batting Is About To Get Unleashed
Looking at the batting order of South Africa, they will have a ton of options in this match to help them bat deep into innings. Their starting pair in Ryan Rickleton and Matthew Breetzke should really help the side get off to a strong start, as both have begun their careers well during 50/50 cricket.
Looking at Rickleton, his form as a left-handed batsman has been unbelievable since he’s already smashed a century and hit 335 runs just in 9 innings. Someone who’s known for that powerful batting style, he can strike early, while Matthew Breetzke looks to be in great touch on the other end after having scored 233 runs during his first two ever matches. Known as a true right-handed threat, he’s slowly given this side hope with Aiden Markram having to worry about less at one down.
Seeing that Markram has continued being clutch in big events and against top nations, his past performances against the Aussies have always been something to not look past. With Temba Bavuma coming down right after him, his batting prowess to reach almost 1,900 runs in fewer than 50 matches shows the type of grit and effort he puts in with every match.
Having the modern styled player in Tristan Stubbs entering at 3-down, he’s known for power-hitting and can also crunch boundaries with ease. Scoring at an average of around 35.57 during ODI games, he’s been a constant presence whenever his side is in trouble and will help add quick runs with debutant Dewald Brevis down the order. To close it out, Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder can really produce late-inning threats in the final overs.
South Africa: Strong Bowlers Should Once Again Have An Imprint on This Match
For South Africa, they will have a loaded bowling unit that will include both spinners and pacers, who should help them dominate the game. Led by veteran Kagiso Rabada, he is once again going to put his whip-like action on full display and hope to pick up more wickets after already getting 168 wickets in 106 matches.
Someone who has a ridiculous pace, he will be in spells with Lungi Ngidi, who himself is a very tall bowler that can create bouncers which become scary for batsmen to attack. With Wiaan Mulder, 22 wickets in 25 matches, being another fast-bowling option, they will have Corbin Bosch as a part-time option that can swing the ball towards stumps. On the left side, Nandre Burger, 6 wickets in 5 matches, and spinner Keshav Maharaj will probably get their full quota of overs.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 106
South Africa Won: 55
Australia Won: 51
Last 5: South Africa have won 3 of the last 5
Match Prediction
South Africa Bat 1st: They will score between 305 to 315 runs for 6 wickets lost
Australia Bat 1st: They will score between 270 to 280 runs for 7 wickets lost
South Africa Bat 2nd: Win by 3 to 4 wickets
Australia Bat 2nd: Lose by 10 to 15 runs
Final Prediction: South Africa will win this match by 10 runs if batting 1st or 3 wickets if batting 2nd
Key Players
South Africa
Kagiso Rabada: Pace bowler who can swing the ball at 140 to 150 km/hr
Aiden Markram: Clutch one-down batsmen that can take command of the innings in his own hands
Temba Bavuma: Captain and a real competitor who continues building his ODI legacy
Dewald Brevis: Debutant who could absolutely smash opposing bowlers if ball comes in slot
Australia
Travis Head: Best all-format batsman who can be aggressive or controlled
Mitchell Marsh: Right-handed power hitter who will also crunch some drives and lead as a captain
Josh Hazlewood: Most experienced bowler who can attack at any length
Cameron Green: Finding form as a batter once again and looks like a threat every match
Also Read: AUS vs SA: Glenn Maxwell’s Blistering Knock Wins Series Decider For Australia