Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit: Getty Images |
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
Australia’s ODI side had too much T20 about it, so this game will help this side feel more at home.
D’Arcy Short, since his magnificent 2017/18 BBL campaign, has been inconsistent, which is in line with Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell’s performances of late. Aaron Finch has also been short of runs, which places significant onus on Australia’s top five to perform on what is expected to be a good batting track. Runs were nowhere to be seen in the UAE, if they aren’t anywhere to be seen on the Gold Coast, another defeat awaits.
Also, Australia will be without Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, as they are currently in Canberra
playing red ball cricket for NSW in preparation for the India Test series. Like the batting, Australia’s bowling attack will be made up of T20 specialists, who will be tasked with getting into South Africa’s batting line up as early as possible. Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and David Miller will be key wickets for Australia – can they limit the boundaries and build pressure?
Key to a South Africa win
How well will the Australians respond to South African pressure?
Skipper Faf du Plessis knows very well that pushing Australia onto the back foot early could prove difficult for them to come back from, given their lack of results in recent months. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were underwhelming after Perth in the ODI series, and a lot rests again on the brilliant duo of Faf du Plessis and David Miller. With Australia’s likely attack a little hit-and-miss recently, can South Africa pile on the runs?
Also, unlike Australia, South Africa could have some of their international first choice bowlers on board, if they choose so. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi were mighty impressive throughout the ODI series, and could benefit against an Australian batting line up that seems to be in one gear most times. If Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius both play, they will be tasked with the important middle overs, alongside Tabraiz Shamsi/Imran Tahir, who will be looking to remind Australia of their spin issues.
Possible teams
As mentioned, Australia’s Test bowlers are in Canberra playing Sheffield Shield for NSW. On the spin front, either Adam Zampa or Ashton Agar will get the nod, while Jason Behrendorff could get a run in the seam attack.
Australia possible XI: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Chris Lynn, 4. Ben McDermott, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Marcus Stoinis, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Adam Zampa/Ashton Agar, 10. AJ Tye, 11. Billy Stanlake
For South Africa, a big question would be how they balance their side. Where does Aiden Markram bat? He could bat either at opener or lower down, to allow the in form Faf du Plessis and David Miller the most time possible at the crease. Also, do they go in with two spinners, or two seam bowling all-rounders?
South Africa possible XI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Faf du Plessis (c), 4. David Miller, 5. Aiden Markram, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Dwaine Pretoriu/Chris Morris, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo/Imran Tahir, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Dream11
Various combinations can work wonders in Dream11. Below is my team, with a few pointers.
- 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!
