South Africa v Australia, 1st ODI, Preview: Proteas hold edge over depleted Australia

Australia and South Africa will kick their summer season when the take on each other in the opening game of the 5 match ODI series at the SuperSport Park, Centurion. The Proteas have had a mixed year as far as ODIs are concerned. The 2016 season began with the 3-2 win over England at home and was followed by the loss in the tri-series against Australia.

And, if overall, performance is taken into consideration, then it is very bad. South Africa haven’t had the best season this year: losing their No 1 ranking, losing the Test series against England, another disappointing ICC World Twenty20 campaign and losing the tri-series in the Caribbean. However, they have an edge over their opposition this time and will look forward to clinching the series.

Australia looks sort of depleted as they will be without their main pace battery. The reason is not very hard to guess, injuries. Nathan Coulter-Nile is injured. Pat Cummins and James Pattinson are recovering from long-term injuries. James Faulkner also strained his calf during a fitness session and won’t be available. A big test awaits the rookie Australian pacers.

Following the five ODIs against Australia, the Proteas will head Down Under for a three-match Test series, which begins on November 3.

South Africa:

South Africa’s captain AB de Villiers won’t be playing because of a persistent elbow injury. He will have surgery early next week and will need eight to ten weeks of recovery time. But, apart from him, there doesn’t seem to any grave problem for them. Chris Morris’s absence, who will also miss the series, has been compensated with the

But, apart from him, there doesn’t seem to any grave problem for them. Chris Morris’s absence, who will also miss the series, has been compensated with bowler Dwaine Pretorius.

Dale Steyn will lead the bowling attack along with Kagiso Rabada while Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso will take the spin bowling responsibilities. JP Duminy and Wayne Parnell will have the additional burden on their shoulders as all-rounders.

South Africa has a strong batting line-up with Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis in their ranks. David Miller is back in the squad.

South Africa has won five of its last six series at home. This should be a motivating factor and clearly shows their dominance at home.

Australia:

With a long summer season waiting to unfold, this injury scare has forced Cricket Australia to preserve the two premier fast bowlers – Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Both them have had their own history with related injury and have been rested keeping in mind their workload.

The absence of frontline bowlers has also opened the gates for rookie fast bowlers. Victorian Chris Tremain and South Australia’s Joe Mennie may also make their debut in the next few weeks while Daniel Worrall has already received his limited over cap against Ireland. they also at the same time boast of two of the highest wicket takers ODI wicket takers this year – John Hasting and the 24-year-old Adam Zampa. Both were in excellent form during the only ODI against Irelan played a couple of days ago and will be the key bowlers.

The strong batting order, however, can make up for the lack of firepower in the bowling department. The presence of Steven Smith, David Warner, George Bailey and Aaron Finch at least provides Australia with an experienced batting order.

The Australians were made to make one change in the batting order too after Shaun Marsh was ruled out due to a finger injury. This gives an opportunity replacement Usman Khawaja another opportunity to make an impact in the 50-overs format after being initially overlooked following a poor run of scores.

Probable XI:

South Africa:

Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (C), David Miller, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada

Australia:

David Warner (VC), Aaron Finch, Steven Smith (C), Usman Khawaja, George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (WK), John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Scott Boland, Chris Tremain/ Joe Mennie

Match Details:

September 30, 2016
Start time: 13:30 local (11:30 GMT)
Telecast: Ten Cricket
Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion

Stats:

• David Miller has scored 1,819 runs and needs another 181 runs to reach the 2,000 runs milestone.
• Matthew Wade has taken 98 dismissals and needs 2 more to reach the 100 dismissals milestone, and also the 1,000 runs/100 dismissal milestone.
• Australia has won eight of their last 10 ODI series
• David Warner requires 116 runs to complete 3000 in ODIs
• George Bailey requires 120 reach 3000 ODI runs
• David Miller requires 167 runs to complete 2000 ODI runs
• Farhaan Behardien requires 82 runs to complete 1000 ODI runs