South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Heinrich Klaasen is the leading run-scorer of the series with 174 runs.

Published - 06 Mar 2020, 16:02 IST | Updated - 06 Mar 2020, 16:02 IST

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South Africa had their stutters during the T20I series against Australia, losing by 1-2. However, the Proteas have been able to turn their fortunes around in the ongoing ODI series. Having won the Paarl and Bloemfontein games by 74 runs and six wickets respectively, Quinton de Kock and Co have managed to take a 2-0 lead in the series with one game left at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Australia, on the other hand, have gotten off to a rather rough start in 2020. After the 1-2 defeat at the hands of India back in January, Aaron Finch’s men couldn’t survive the heat in the ongoing series as well. The home team has outplayed them from all three departments. At the same venue, the Aussies and Proteas have locked horns once in March 2002 and the match ended in a tie.

Pitch and Conditions

Nothing much is known about the pitch due to the number of matches played in Potchefstroom over the years. In the last decade, the venue has hosted only three ODIs with the last game coming back in 2015. But 10 out of 16 matches have been won by the chasing teams. The conditions will be bright and sunny with no chances of rain. The temperature will be around 22 and 28 degrees Celsius.

Team Combination

South Africa

The Proteas batting has mostly been powered by Heinrich Klaasen, who has 174 runs. After the ton in the opener, he backed it up with another classy half-century. Janneman Malan bagged a golden duck to start with, but he showed a great amount of maturity, notching an unbeaten 129 last time.

David Miller also managed to put fourth back-to-back useful knocks in the middle order. JJ Smuts got 41 under pressure. In bowling, Lungi Ngidi has done most of the work with nine wickets at a frugal economy of 4,88. He has gotten support from fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who has four wickets.

Probable XI

Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (C & WK), JJ Smuts, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia

The Aussie batting has been inconsistent. David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch have threatened to cut loose, but gave their wickets away after getting their eyes in. Steve Smith started with 76 before giving his wicket to Ngidi second time around. The rest have chipped in, but not been consistent.

Alex Carey, having scored 26 runs, needs to find some rhythm as well. Mitchell Starc has been released off the squad for him to cheer Alyssa Healy in the T20 World Cup final. He may be replaced by one of Hazlewood or Jhye Richardson. Cummins is their top wicket-taker with five scalps.

Probable XI

David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, D’Arcy Short, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh/Hazlewood/Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa