Heading into the final match between South Africa and Australia, this will be a real test in figuring out who’s going to edge out the series under pressure. Looking at the Proteas squad, they had come out victorious in their last game and showed much more potential after being down 1-0.
Several key pieces and aspects of their side have shown that this unit has the ability to not choke anymore and actually perform in crunch time, where it matters most. Despite not having their clinical finisher in David Miller and a strong all-rounder named Marco Jansen, it seems like this group’s younger pieces are looking to change South Africa’s name plus make them one of the most formidable teams worldwide.
Aiden Markram being captain, has not only given these newcomers confidence to play, but his leadership abilities give them hope for winning crucial matches. Meanwhile, for Australia, their side is looking to make a massive comeback in this match after many weaknesses were exposed last game.
A unit that knows how to fight back and always shocks the world when it matters most, they will try to replicate that towards the ending of this series. Although the Aussies don’t have many veteran pieces playing once again, like Mitchell Starc plus Pat Cummins, it’s quite vital for these newer players to make an impact in order to get selected for their upcoming T20 World Cup squad in 2026. With the calmness of captain Mitchell Marsh, his guidance should be a key piece that impacts other teammates to perform at their best.
South Africa: A Loaded Batting Unit Can Dominate This Match
When looking at the Proteas’s ability to bat, they have one of the deepest units across world cricket that continues growing game by game. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram have held some pretty solid opening stands this series, including a 34-run partnership in just 3.2 overs last match. Two batsmen that complement each other, with one being left-handed and the other righty, it’s a pair that can hit at pretty high strike rates.
Talking about Aiden Markram, specifically, he’s gone at over a 144 strike rate throughout his career and really knows how to hit wonderful drives, while also playing crisp shots that could go the distance. Having scored nearly 1,400 runs in this format, his partner in Ryan Rickelton, has showcased an ability to hit tons of maximums when he gets set, while also putting that short-arm pull shot on full display every match.
As they have the young Lhuan-Dre Pretorious coming in at one-down, he has struggled with around a 15.6 average lately but is looking to finally take out those nerves and be a truly dominating factor. Someone who made his name during the SA-20 season, he will look to finally get on track as this group’s 2nd best left-hander.
Looking down the order, Tristan Stubbs has become extremely consistent as a scorer who has hit 30-40 runs a match and seems like he is really built for the modern game. But, their really big piece in this middle-order has to be Dewald Brevis, who just recently made his name big after smashing a 125 not-out score and cruising through with sixes launched all over the stadium. Having a 37.85 average during T20Is, he will be a real game-changer, alongside Rassie Van Der Dussen, who is known for playing some top-class strokes. To close it out, Senuran Muthuswamy and Corbin Bosch will continue providing great production towards the end.
South Africa: Spinners and Pacers Are Slowly Making Their Name Big
For the South African bowling attack, they have shown how many options their group has and how each of them can provide a wicket-taking threat. Led by Kagiso Rabada, he currently stands 2nd amongst all pacers for T20I wickets in his nation and continues to have one of the most dangerous swing abilities. A bowler who can completely deliver it inside-out or outside-in, his four overs will always at least include getting 1-2 batsmen out.
Having a wonderful pace too, the real bowler who has balls that go 140-150 km/hr is Lungi Ngidi. Looking at his game, Ngidi doesn’t create variations to bowl more outside or in, but he remains another key wicket-taker by creating pressure with deliveries going down the same line. Picking up 70 wickets during 49 matches in T20Is, their last impactful right-handed pacer is Corbin Bosch, who seems to go for a manageable 8.50 economy, while getting 5 wickets of his own.
Talking about pacers coming in from the left end, Nandre Burger may potentially not play again because of the prowess rising star Kwena Maphaka has shown. Getting 7 wickets already during his first two matches this series, he’s shown that whenever he hits the right length, there is always an opportunity to remove a batsman with his bowling style.
Even though he can go for several runs and an economy of over 10 at times, there is nothing much that stands in his way when taking crucial wickets. Going into spinners, Senuran Muthuswamy has already turned into one of the trusted options on this side after just allowing 20 runs in 4 overs during their first T20I, while also having an ability to get people out. Having a couple of unorthodox variations in his bowling, he will continue to be a vital threat, with Nqaba Peter coming from the other end to be economical as well.
Australia: Batsmen Will Have To Pick It Up In This Match
Looking at Australia’s batting unit, it has been a massive question mark throughout this series, and looks like a problem going forward if there is no resolution. Opener Travis Head hasn’t been in form at all, and that’s been a major stinger for this side since he’s the one who used to produce all the early runs in rapid pace. Having batted at a 3.5 average during this series so far, his partner named Mitchell Marsh, hasn’t provided any real threat either. Failing to get past 25 runs multiple times during his previous outings, something will have to change about his approach to stay in longer. Moving down to the number three position, Josh Inglis, 10 runs in his last two matches, has also heavily struggled after being really dominant early on against the West Indies.
One positive sign for this unit, though, that has kept them in or made them victorious in a ton of matches is their middle-order. A group led by Tim David, 265 runs during his last 4 matches, his power and striking ability have made it hard for any bowler to have pretty room against him. Someone who has smashed over 15 sixes in these performances, his big frame gives him an opportunity to take on many pacers running in from the opposing side.
The other standout is Cameron Green, whose slowly worked his way back from an injury that was suffered one year back. Now finding form, he’s had the ability to hit three half-centuries during his last 6 matches, while also moving his average past 34 in T20Is. With two players made specifically for this format in Mitchell Owen and Glenn Maxwell coming down the order, one bowler whose batting can be a benefit is Ben Dwarshuis.
Australia: New-Look Bowling Attack Has Had Their Ups and Downs
On the Aussies’ side, their bowling unit has been a mix of strong performances and ones where they had a tough time of posing any threat. A unit led by Josh Hazlewood, he should get back on track after having had a very tough 2nd T20I. Being a pacer that has taken 71 wickets during 54 career matches, his economy jumps out at people because it shows that even one or two overs of his in the middle can change a match. Extremely tall and accurate, he will continue attacking the stumps, while Sean Abbott hopes to continue being a bowler who can attack with several different variations. Having taken 30 wickets during just 25 games, he will be their 2nd main option with Nathan Ellis potentially third.
From the left side, Ben Dwarshuis will be their only bowling option, but he should be extremely economical and provide a lot of confusion during his spell. With spinner Glenn Maxwell rounding it out, him and Adam Zampa will hope to be key factors in the middle overs.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 25
South Africa Won: 9
Australia Won: 16
Past 5: Australia won 4 of the last 5
Match Prediction
Australia Batting 1st: 170-180 runs and 6 wickets lost
South Africa Batting 1st: 180-190 runs and 5 wickets lost
Australia Batting 2nd: Lose by 2 to 3 wickets
South Africa Batting 2nd: Win by 3 or 4 wickets
Match Prediction: South Africa will win by 5 runs if batting 1st or 3 to 4 wickets if batting 2nd
Key Players
Australia
Tim David: Explosive power-hitter that can do damage in quick succession
Cameron Green: One batsman in form who has kept hitting at least 30 runs in each innings
Josh Hazlewood: Tall bowler who hits the same line and length to get wickets
Travis Head: Left-handed batter who is unstoppable when in form
South Africa
Aiden Markram: One of the more clutch players who comes up when it matters most
Dewald Brevis: True power-hitter who has made his name through high strike rates
Kagiso Rabada: Right-handed pacer who’s got a great whip action to get people out
Kwena Maphaka: Rising bowler who creates a confusing angle with how he bowls
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