Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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A week is a long time in the cricket world. It is even longer when South Africa remain in the country for an extra week just for a single T20I, where commercial purposes are at the forefront of Cricket Australia’s thinking, with the Gold Coast in Queensland set to host its first ever international fixture.
Nonetheless, it is time the home side get back to winning ways, no matter the format, with India literally around the corner. Australia’s performances vs Pakistan in the UAE were disappointing and unworthy of the talent on paper, and it is time to get things right after defeat in the ODI series against South Africa.
For the Proteas, their main aim was to come to down under and win the ODI series. They deservedly did, and will now finish their tour of Australia with a T20I that is unlikely to evoke too much pressure, except the chance to heap further disappointment on an Aussie side short of victories at the moment.
Who will take out the only T20I?
Australia will play their first T20I at home since the triumphant Tri-Series campaign involving England and New Zealand earlier this year. The Australian T20I side then was brimming with confidence, eliciting very positive reviews from the public about how a very good Big Bash XI was put together with excellent output. Since then, they lost to England away, Pakistan in the T20I Tri-Series Final in Zimbabwe, as well as a 3-0 defeat to the same opposition last month in the UAE. Can they pick up their form?
South Africa have not had the brightest of years in this format either, losing 2-1 at home to India, as well as 1-0 in Sri Lanka. Australia at home represents a good challenge for South Africa, with conditions likely to be conducive to run-scoring, which will ask plenty of South Africa’s bowlers. Can the Proteas’ spinners in particular re-open the Aussie wounds?
Key to an Australia win
Key to a South Africa win
Possible teams
Dream11
- There is no Mitchell Starc, so Quinton de Kock is in line for runs.
- I will skipper Aaron Finch again, like the ODI series. He is surely due for runs. Chris Lynn gets the nod for this clash, and so too Ben McDermott who offers good value.
- Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are my allrounders. With South Africa, none of Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo or Chris Morris are assured of a place.
- Lungi Ngidi is mighty impressive, and Billy Stanlake and Andrew Tye are proven wicket takers in this format. Tabraiz Shamsi could get a run in this one, but team news in the lead up is something to keep an eye on.
Stats and Facts
- This is the first ever international to be held at Gold Coast Stadium.
- Ben McDermott was run out in all three T20Is against Pakistan, as well as the tour game vs South Africa during the week.
- Australia have won 11 of 17 T20Is against South Africa, including the two most recent encounters in 2016.
Prediction
The word “context” doesn’t scream out to you when thinking of this game, but it should be an exciting clash.
At home, with a number of T20 specialists, I will back Australia to win.
Thanks for reading!