Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: Getty Images |
What a year (and week) it has been for Cricket Australia. About a decade’s worth of controversy and drama has been rolled into eight months, with a timeline of events long enough to publish multiple articles.
The latest disappointment was a forgettable Sunday where the Australian side was beaten soundly by a rampant South African side, viewed by about a fifth of the usual television audience. It is hoped that both the build up and the low viewership for the first ODI has alarm bells ringing at Cricket Australia, who MUST now realise that fan engagement is of utmost priority.
For those that were able to watch the game on PayTV, they were treated to a performance so poor that it screamed muddled minds and low confidence. Now, the series is on the line, and Australia must dig deep to take the series to a third game. Will South Africa be too good again?
Australia have now won just six of their last 26 ODIs, and on Sunday’s performance, one wonders when that record will improve. The batsmen had little answer against South Africa’s excellent pace attack on a fast, bouncy pitch at Perth’s Optus Stadium, fuelling further the belief that Australia struggle on pitches that offer assistance for the bowlers. With the series on the line in Adelaide, the onus is on the batsmen to put on a better showing. Will they step up?
Australia’s struggles, however, should not be cause to take credit away from South Africa. Coming off a disappointing loss in the tour game against Prime Minister’s XI, as well as unconvincing performances back home, South Africa responded in brilliant fashion. Their pace bowlers were irresistible, and will come up against an Australian side low on confidence and perhaps confused on the way they should play. Will the Proteas seal the series?
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Key to an Australia win
Australia’s batting performance in Perth showcased not only a lack of confidence and technique, but also a lack of balance. Much of the top order are T20 specialists, who must find a way in the second ODI to better meet the ball and rotate strike.
A score of 19/3 at the end of the powerplay will almost never win you an ODI, and that has to be the first item on the agenda for Australia. Travis Head, D’Arcy Short and Aaron Finch were all dismissed with the score below 10, all displaying a lack of footwork against quality bowling. Now, the much maligned Shaun Marsh in the UAE is now
considered vital to the cause in the Australian media. The middle order, whilst also putting on a disappointing show at Perth, needs to be given a better platform to work from.
Also, with the ball, it will help for Australia to be as tactically sound as possible. It is worth noting that South Africa’s batting has not been entirely convincing of late, so an opportunity awaits for the Aussies to apply pressure with the ball. This starts with Mitchell Starc taking the new ball straight away to target Quinton de Kock who looked in fine touch in Perth. Can the Aussies start strongly with the ball and put together a complete performance?
Key to a South Africa win
The seamers, led by the ageless Dale Steyn, were superb in Perth. The same template for victory applies in Adelaide, where the Proteas bowlers gear up against a side with muddled minds and very low confidence.
Such was South Africa’s dominance with the ball that Australia thought they could get the better of Andile Phehlukwayo. Instead, he backed up his opening bowlers superbly, picking up three wickets to round off a brilliant, cohesive bowling performance from the Proteas. Can they dominate in the powerplay again, paving the way for a difficult rest of innings for Australia?
Also, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were excellent in snuffing out any hope for Australia in the small run chase. The Proteas’ batsmen might be called on to do more in the second ODI, so how they tackle Australia’s good pace attack will make for interesting viewing. If South Africa’s batting fires, one feels there might be too much for Australia’s batting to do against the Proteas attack. Of course, if South Africa bat second after another strong bowling effort, it’s happy days.
Possible XIs
Such is Australia’s struggle at the moment that the maligned Shaun Marsh a few weeks ago is now considered an
important part of the recovery project. Marsh is confident of playing after minor surgery, and will likely replace D’Arcy Short. Ben McDermott has been drafted into the squad and could play if Marsh is deemed unfit. Also, Australia could bring in Adam Zampa for the Adelaide match, possibly at the expense of Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has been Australia’s top batsman in recent games.
Australia possible XI: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Travis Head, 3. Shaun Marsh, 4. Chris Lynn, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Nathan Coulter-Nile/Adam Zampa, 10. Patrick Cummins, 11. Josh Hazlewood
For South Africa, there are less headaches. They should stick with the same side that won the first ODI comfortably.
South Africa possible XI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Aiden Markram, 4. Faf Du Plessis (c), 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Imran Tahir
Dream11
Couple of gusty selections for Dream11. Below is my team with a few pointers.
- Quinton de Kock vs Mitchell Starc will be a good battle. I think Starc will win it.
- Shaun Marsh is likely to play, and he makes my side as he is the accumulator Australia needs.
- Marcus Stoinis and Andile Phehlukwayo is also a good choice. Glenn Maxwell is a hazard.
- Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi make my side, so too Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Stats and Facts
- Australia have won just six of their last 26 ODIs. In 2018, it is one win in 11 matches.
- Australia’s last ODI win came against England at Adelaide on Australia Day this year. England were 8/5. Since then, they have lost seven straight matches.
- In their last four games, South Africa have taken all 40 wickets and restricted the opposition to 117, 78, 228 and 152.
- South Africa have won six ODIs in a row against Australia.
- Shaun Marsh averages nearly 40 in 58 ODIs for Australia.
Prediction
Head or heart?
Head says South Africa will win. However, heart says the Adelaide track will be less lively than Perth, which will suit Australia.
I will go with my heart on this one, taking a stab in the dark and say Australia will bounce back. They have it in them.
Thanks for reading!
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