Australia vs South Africa: 1st ODI, Match Prediction: Who will win the match?

South Africa didn’t make an auspicious start to their Australia tour as the Prime Minister’s XI defeated them by four wickets in the warm-up match. The Proteas are now scheduled to play the first ODI against Aaron Finch and Co at the Perth Stadium. They are coming off a successful tour of Zimbabwe and clean sweeps in both the ODI and T20I series would keep them in a positive mind frame.

The Aussies, on the other hand, is in the middle of a nightmare ever since the ball-tampering issue. Moreover, they have won only one ODI this year and to be more precise, they have tasted victory twice in their last 20 ODIs. Prior to the World Cup next year, the Men in Yellow would be desperate to get their rhythm back, but it won’t be easy against the power-packed Proteas.

Pitch

The Perth Stadium has been a witness to only a solitary ODI earlier this year between the Aussies and England. The encounter was a witness to a decent contest between bat and ball. Eventually, the team batting first won. Both team’s strength also lies in their bowling and hence it won’t spring a surprise if they opt to bat first after winning the all-important toss.

Team Combination

Australia

D’Arcy Short and newly-appointed ODI captain Aaron Finch are the openers. The hard-hitting Chris Lynn will bat at number three with left-handed Shaun Marsh to follow. The onus will be on Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis to shepherd the middle-order. Alex Carey is the designated keeper. Courter Nile, Cummins, and Hazlewood are the pacers with Zampa being the lone spinner.

Predicted XI

D’Arcy Short, Aaron Finch (C), Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock are likely to open the batting. Reeza Hendricks is slotted at number three with skipper Faf du Plessis to come next at four. David Miller and Farhaan Behardien are next in. Phehlukwayo is the seam-bowling all-rounder. The Proteas are likely to go in with the pace trio of Rabada, Steyn, and Ngidi with Tahir as the spin-bowling option.  

Predicted XI

Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis (C), David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir

Probable top performers

Aaron Finch- Australia, Faf du Plessis- South Africa

The prediction is for South Africa to win the match and take a 1-0 lead.