Australia vs South Africa: 3rd ODI, Match Prediction: Who will win the match?

Australia have had a horrendous run in ODIs in 2018 as they’ve strained to win literally anything in the 50-overs format this year. However, they soared above expectations and beat South Africa by seven runs in the second match of the three-match series. After another poor batting performance at Adelaide Oval, their bowlers came to the party and kept the hosts’ hopes alive in the series.

The Proteas, on the contrary, would be disappointed as they allowed their rivals to get a foothold back in the encounter after getting them on the mat. The third and deciding encounter is set to be staged at Bellerive Oval in Hobart and both teams have everything to play for. A series win for Aaron Finch’s men can turn out to be a massive boost for them following the ball-tampering scandal.

Pitch

Batsmen have always found it easy to score runs at the venue. In Australia’s domestic One Day Cup, the bowlers had to work out of their skins in order to put a lid on the run-scoring. Bearing in mind, the nature of the strip and also each other’s strengths and weaknesses, teams might opt to bat first and put runs on the board. The stadium is also set to host its first ODI after March 2015.

Team Combination

Australia

The Aussies may bring in Nathan Courter Nile in place of Adam Zampa, who went for quite a few runs the other night. Finch and Head are the opening batsmen with the elegant Marsh and the swashbuckling Lynn to follow. The likes of Maxwell, Carey and Stoinis have to step up as well. The pace-bowling unit is a power-packed on with Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins in the ranks.

Predicted XI

Aaron Finch (C), Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (w), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile/Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa

The Proteas may replace Lungi Ngidi with Chris Morris for adding depth to the batting. De Kock and Hendricks are the openers. Aiden Markram and skipper du Plessis are slotted to bat at number three and four. Miller and Klaasen need to take responsibility as well. Pretorius is likely to retain his position. Rabada and Steyn are the specialist pacers along with Tahir as the spinner.

Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock (w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (C), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Chris Morris/Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir

Probable top performers

Aaron Finch- Australia, Faf du Plessis- South Africa

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony ESPN

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

Match Timings – 8:20 IST; 11:20 Local

The prediction for South Africa to win the match and the series.