ODI World Cup 2023, Semi-final 2: South Africa vs Australia Match Preview

South Africa (SA) will look to reach the finals of the ODI World Cup for the first time as they face five-time champions Australia (AUS) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, November 16.

Temba Bavuma might not have fired with the bat so far but he has led his team quite well. Quinton de Kock has been the star of the show for South Africa as he has scored 591 runs in nine matches at an average of 65.67 and a strike rate of 109.24. He has amassed four centuries so far in the campaign and one of them came during South Africa's 134-run win against Australia in their league-stage clash.

Rassie van der Dussen has also been in sublime touch as he has scored 442 runs at 55.25. He has played the role of an anchor to perfection and given the likes of Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen the ideal launchpad on many occasions during the campaign.

The bowling department has divided the workload nicely. Gerald Coetzee, who has played just seven games, has picked up 18 wickets at 19.39. Marco Jansen has also been quite impressive, bagging 17 wickets at 24.41. Keshav Maharaj, who recently climbed to the top of the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers, has played an excellent role in the middle overs and scalped 14 wickets in nine games at 24.71.

Australia lost their first couple of matches in the ODI World Cup 2023 but came back strongly with seven consecutive wins. David Warner has been the standout performer with the bat as the southpaw has scored 499 runs at an average of 55.44 and a strike rate of 105.50. He has registered two fifties and as many centuries in the competition. The likes of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have been in blistering form as well. The former scored a century in Australia's last league game against Bangladesh. However, the innings of the tournament was played by Maxwell in the game against Afghanistan. He scored an awe-inspiring double-century to help Australia chase down 292 against the Blue Tigers after being reduced to 91/7.

Also Check: Most Runs in World Cup 2023

Adam Zampa has been the best bowler for Australia in the tournament by a distance. He is the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps in nine games at an excellent average of 18.91. Josh Hazlewood has done relatively well but there is room for improvement for the likes of Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins.

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

The Eden Gardens has produced some neutral pitches that has kept both batters and bowlers interested. Three games were won by teams batting first while only one was won by the chasing team. The pitch could favour spinners in the second innings and that will play on the minds of the captains at the toss. The average first innings score in the tournament at this venue is 274.

ODI World Cup 2023: SA vs AUS Probable Playing XI, Semifinal 2

South Africa (SA):

The question that South Africa will have to answer is whether to pick the exuberant Gerald Coetzee or go in with Tabraiz Shamsi as the second spinner. The Proteas have used the horses-for-courses approach with these two players and they might be tempted to play Shamsi as the Eden Gardens has provided enough assistance to spinners in the previous games, especially in the second innings.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia (AUS):

Marcus Stoinis has not been able to do justice to his potential but the management has backed him. Marnus Labuschagne will have to sit out if Stoinis gets the nod once again. Australia are unlikely to make too many changes.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

SA vs AUS ODIs Head-to-Head Records: