ODI World Cup 2023: South Africa vs Australia, Semi-final 2 - Top player battles to watch out for

Australia (AUS) and South Africa (SA) will face off in the second semi-final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. This encounter will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on November 16, 2023. The Men in Yellow came into the semi-finals based on a not-so-good start as they lost to India and South Africa in their first two matches. But then, they won all of their remaining 7 matches to finish in third spot and qualify for the semis.

South Africa, on the other hand, also lost two matches, to India and a surprise loss to the Netherlands. But they dominated other opponents with brutal displays of batting and wonderful bowling as well. And now the two sides clash in the knockout game with an eye on the spot in the final.

Discussing more, here are three player battles to watch out for in the South Africa vs Australia match

3. Quinton de Kock vs. Glenn Maxwell  

Quinton de Kock has been a revelation in what is his final appearance in ODI cricket so far. He has struck 4 centuries so far in the CWC 2023. He has 591 runs in 9 matches with a best of 174 runs. While has been a bane for fast bowlers, De Kock has been troubled by spinners on surfaces that aid turn. 

And on the Kolkata pitch, someone like Glenn Maxwell might keep him quiet as he turns the ball away from left-handed De Kock. Maxwell, surprisingly has a good record against the Proteas hitter. In 5 innings, Maxwell has dismissed De Kock 4 times giving away just 35 runs in 74 balls. De Kock has managed just 1 four against the Australian part-time spinner.

2. David Warner vs. Lungi Ngidi

David Warner is probably playing his final ODI World Cup tournament and will want to make sure it is a special one. Till now, Warner has 499 runs in 9 matches with 2 centuries and 2 fifties to his name. His highest score is 163 runs and his strike rate has been 105.49.

To counter Warner’s aggression at the start, Temba Bavuma might employ Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi can bowl across the left-handers and make the ball leave them. In 41 balls against Ngidi, Warner has 23 runs in 5 innings in the ODI. He has hit 2 fours and 1 six while getting out four times to the South African pacer.

1. Quinton de Kock vs. Mitchell Starc

Australia’s Mitchell Starc might be out of form in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, with only 10 wickets in 8 matches in league stages, but he can be a very good counter to Quinton de Kock. De Kock has scored 591 runs at a strike rate of 109.24, hitting 57 fours and 21 sixes. His big starts have helped Proteas put up big scores.

But Mitchell Starc boasts of a brilliant record against De Kock. The two have faced off in 13 ODIs, with De Kock scoring 113 runs in 141 balls and Starc has dismissed him 4 times. De Kock has hit 13 fours and 1 six to Starc, with a strike rate below 80.

Also Check: Most Runs in World Cup 2023