World Cup 2023: Australia seek to bounce back against high-flying South Africa

Smarting from their opening game defeat against India, a determined Australian team will be aiming to put up a much better batting performance with a rejigged playing eleven against an upbeat South Africa in a World Cup encounter on Thursday. The five-time champions’ World Cup campaign was off to a worst possible start as they were handed a six-wicket drubbing by hosts India.

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The Proteas will head into the contest, high on confidence, having thrashed Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their opener. With the win, the South Africans announced themselves as contenders. It is not so much the defeat, but the manner in which Australia conceded the game that will certain be a headache for the team management.

The batting lacked aggression. Apart from David Warner and Steve Smith, no one breached the 30-run mark as they once again lost wickets in clutches.

The Australians struggled against India’s quality spin attack on a slow Chepauk turner and lack of second frontline spinner save Adam Zampa also compounded their problems. To add to their woes, Mitchell Marsh, who generally has a safe pair of hands, dropped a simple catch that could have potentially changed the complexion of the game.

Marcus Stoinis has recovered from his hamstring injury and looks to set to replace Cameron Green. The all-rounder is a proven match-winner and is also familiar with the ground, having played for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. He will assist Australia’s fearsome three-pronged pace attack of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, which will look to cause maximum damage. While Glenn Maxwell will continue to share the spin bowling duties with Zampa, the latter will certainly be under pressure to deliver with no other alternative available.

South African team, on the other hand, boasts of a trio of centurions, who decimated Sri Lanka during its first game. The destructive Quinton de Kock, who like Stoinis, plays for LSG in the IPL and understands the surface as well as the Australian does. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram, who scored the fastest-ever ton in the World Cup are two gun batters, who can change the course of any game.

After facing much criticism during the IPL, the wicket at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has been re-laid. No one knows how it will pan out. If it aids spins and given Australia’s struggle against the slow bowlers, South Africa will be tempted to bring in wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. They already have a weapon of destruction in Keshav Maharaj, who is a left-arm spinner like Ravindra Jadeja and can ask probing questions.

Australia vs South Africa Head-to-Head

Australia v South Africa record ahead of their World Cup group game at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Last 10 meetings

11/11/2018: Hobart – South Africa won by 40 runs

06/07/2019: Manchester – South Africa won by 10 runs

29/02/2020: Paarl – South Africa won by 74 runs

04/03/2020: Bloemfontein – South Africa won by 6 wickets

07/03/2020: Potchefstroom – South Africa won by 6 wickets

07/09/2023: Bloemfontein – Australia won by 3 wickets

09/09/2023: Bloemfontein – Australia won by 123 runs

12/09/2023: Potchefstroom – South Africa won by 111 runs

15/09/2023: Centurion – South Africa won by 164 runs

17/09/2023: Johannesburg – South Africa won by 122 runs

Overall

Australia wins: 50

South Africa wins: 54

Tied: 3

No result: 1

Australia vs South Africa LIVE Streaming

The match will be played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow and will start at 2 PM IST. The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar.

With agency inputs