Thursday’s Cricket World Cup encounter pits Australia and South Africa against one another, with the 2015 champions on the defensive after losing to India in the tournament’s first game.
Only a few weeks have passed since these two teams engaged in an exciting ODI series, one that the Proteas won at home 3-2. Now, South Africa and Australia are engaging in hostilities once again.
It was a fierce battle, and although trailing 2-0 at one point, South Africa came from behind to win the remaining three games. They then carried this momentum over to India, defeating Sri Lanka in their inaugural World Cup match with a score of 428-5.
In the game, three of South Africa’s top four batsmen scored hundreds, and while Temba Bavuma’s team didn’t bowl well, wickets were shared as they eventually won convincingly.
Peaking at the appropriate time: South Africa
Although it won’t mean much at the end of the competition, I think South Africa will be at their best against Australia on Thursday after they suffered a six-wicket loss to India in their first match.
Australia should be more worried about the method of their defeat than the fact that India, the pre-tournament favorites, beat them; Josh Hazlewood notwithstanding, their bowling, except Josh Hazlewood, lacked penetration.
Australia may well face a trial by spin from this point on, with that middle order at real risk of digging in and batting the side into a hole similar to what it did against India because of injuries to key bowlers before the tournament.
I don’t think South Africa will have the same outcome. Aiden Markram’s 54-ball 106 against Sri Lanka was impressive, but fellow century Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen also played well. Heinrich Klaasen then put the finishing touches on the game with a 39-run standoff from 21 balls.
South Africa will pose a threat to everyone if this batting team keeps producing, and they may have too many weapons for Australia to handle, regardless of the conditions on Thursday in Lucknow.
South Africa vs. Australia in cricket betting tips
Spin might again hurt Australia
South Africa also appears to be able to cover more ground. They might pair KESHAV MAHARAJ, who bowled so brilliantly in game one, with wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi if the surface is dry and spin is anticipated to play a significant role.
Australia doesn’t have that choice because they only nominated one frontline spinner to their team, and Adam Zampa will need to drastically step up his performance after a disastrous performance against India.
South Africa is a solid bet to win the match at 6/5.
In the hopes that he will succeed in attacking Australia’s middle order in the same manner that Ravi Jadeja did on Sunday, I also want to include the aforementioned Maharaj in the staking strategy.
When these teams previously faced off in Johannesburg, Maharaj, another left-arm spinner, had stats of 4-33 after taking three wickets in that encounter to completely shred Australia’s batting innings.
Maharaj was superb throughout the entire series, so any help from the Lucknow surface may indicate he’s back in business.
At 20/1 in the Man of the Match market, he appears to be worth a little wager.
