Australia fell below their usual standards and suffered a convincing defeat, while South Africa exceeded expectations and secured a commanding victory. As the two teams prepare to face off in Lucknow on Thursday, their respective starts to the Men’s World Cup campaigns could not have been more contrasting.
In their recent matches, India showcased a strong performance, deploying Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja in Chennai, dismissing Australia for 199 runs and securing a six-wicket victory with 8.4 overs to spare. Meanwhile, in Delhi, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram each scored centuries for South Africa, leading them to a 102-run triumph over Sri Lanka.
This upcoming fixture holds immense significance for both teams. A win could bolster their belief in brighter days ahead, while a loss may raise concerns. For Australia, it might mean the possibility of going without another World Cup win for a considerable period, while for South Africa, it could mean deferring their dream of winning their first World Cup title for the ninth time.
It may be too early to draw sweeping conclusions after just two of the nine matches each team will play before the knockout rounds. However, these two teams are exceptional cases. Australia, with their five World Cup victories, stands as cricket’s royalty, while South Africa has often been a contender that falls short when it matters most. This contest can be seen as a battle between princes and paupers.
Despite South Africa’s impressive record of winning 15 of their last 20 completed ODIs against Australia, dating back to November 2014, this statistic may not hold much weight. Australia often played without their strongest lineup in some of those matches. Additionally, the World Cup carries its unique pressures and challenges.
Thursday’s match could turn into a captivating showdown between South Africa’s batters and Australia’s bowlers, though this assessment is based on their performances in their respective opening matches. However, the reverse scenario could also prove true. The prospect of a resilient batting lineup taking on an attack and fielding side that struggled in their previous outing is equally enticing.
In the end, this clash between two cricketing giants—one seemingly on the decline and the other resurgent—promises to be a thrilling chapter in one of cricket’s most enduring rivalries.
Match Details:
- Date: October 11, 2023, at 14:00 IST
- Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
- Pitch: The pitch at this venue is relatively new, making it unpredictable. Only four ODIs have been played here, and the pitches were relaid after this year’s IPL. Conditions may favor spin, but the pitch’s behavior remains uncertain.
Teams:
Australia:
- Marcus Stoinis has overcome hamstring issues and is likely to be preferred over Cameron Green, considering his recent form.
- Australia will aim to avoid the kind of batting collapse they experienced in Chennai, focusing on building a solid middle order.
Probable XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
- South Africa’s impressive batting in their last game in Delhi may lead them to consider adding a second spinner, given the spin-friendly conditions expected in Lucknow. This could mean Gerald Coetzee makes way for Tabraiz Shamsi.
Probable XI: Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Key Facts:
- Australia has won three of its six World Cup matches against South Africa, including a famous tied match in 1999.
- South Africa’s debut World Cup victory was against Australia at the SCG in 1992, and they also won against Australia in a 2019 World Cup match.
- Former Lucknow Super Giants’ head coach, Andy Flower, is now serving as Australia’s bowling consultant.
Quotes:
- Pat Cummins emphasized Australia’s commitment to playing every game seriously in the World Cup.
- Quinton de Kock highlighted the competitive nature of clashes between Australia and South Africa, emphasizing the importance of making the right choices under pressure.
Squads: Australia: Pat Cummins (capt), Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (capt), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams
