Last Updated on 1 year ago by Charbel Coorey

SA vs AUS 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs AUS 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 | SA vs AUS 2nd ODI Key Players | Bloemfontein Pitch Report

Yet again in South Africa’s “nearly” summer, they lead a series 1-0. It was the case in their Test series against England, only to lose 3-1; ODI series vs England, only to draw 1-1 and T20I series vs England, only to lose 2-1.

Their performance in the opening ODI was clinical. Heinrich Klaasen led the way with an excellent century under pressure, giving the Paarl crowd plenty to cheer for, along with the bowlers. So, can the Proteas do the same in Bloemfontein?

Australia have lost three ODIs in a row. While that is not cause for panic in a year where T20 takes priority from a white-ball perspective, it is always good to get used to the winning feeling. Their recent record against South Africa is poor (nine losses in last 10 meetings), so the time is now to stop the rut as the series is on the line.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Quinton de Kock scored a century (138*) in his only ODI so far in Bloemfontein. This came off 96 balls vs England, in 2016.
• Heinrich Klaasen was South Africa’s star in Paarl (123*). Klaasen has been in good touch in white-ball cricket (List A, T20Is and ODI): 41, 40, 27, 54, 66, 22 and 123* are his most recent scores.
• Temba Bavuma (26) and Kyle Veryenne (48) played well in the first ODI. However, can they build on their starts?
• Each of Australia’s top five reached double figures in Paarl. However, only Steve Smith (76) and Marnus Labuschagne (41) made scores of significance.
• Smith is in terrific white-ball form. His scores this tour: T20Is – 45, 29 and 30*. First ODI: 76.
• The onus is on Aaron Finch (top ODI run-scorer in 2019) and David Warner (premier white-ball batsman) to perform. Warner needs 32 runs to reach 1,000 in ODIs vs SA (avg. 46.09).
• David Miller (64 last game) enjoys playing Australia: 17 innings, 673 runs, avg. 56.08, SR 104.34.
• Lungi Ngidi has taken 19 wickets in his last nine white-ball matches (T20Is and ODIs). This includes five three-fors.
• Like Ngidi, Pat Cummins is coming off a three-wicket haul in Paarl.
• Mitchell Starc vs South Africa’s top order will be a crucial battle. Starc has dismissed Quinton de Kock four times in the last seven white-ball meetings between the teams.

Stats and Facts

• South Africa have won nine of their past 10 ODIs against Australia. If they win this match, it will be their third ODI series win in a row vs Australia (5-0 in 2016, 2-1 in 2018).
• Australia have won two of the three ODIs vs South Africa in Bloemfontein.
• D’Arcy Short and Mitchell Marsh conceded a combined 70 runs in the first ODI. So, Ashton Agar to return?

Key to a South Africa win

It would have been very pleasing from a Proteas’ perspective that they won well without a big contribution from Quinton de Kock. Heinrich Klaasen was crucial to that, continuing his good form of late with a century. Can he produce another good knock, with the likes of de Kock, Temba Bavuma and David Miller also contributing?

Also, it was a calculated bowling display by the Proteas in Paarl. All six bowlers were in the wickets, with Lungi Ngidi once again leading the way. If South Africa can make inroads into Australia’s top order, and then continue building pressure in the middle, they can win this match.

Key to an Australia win

At 174/3 in the 34th over chasing 292, Australia had an opportunity to win the game. However, as was the case in last year’s World Cup, the middle order couldn’t quite step up as much as they could. So, the top four of Australia, along with Alex Carey will be crucial.

Also, Australia’s middle and death overs bowling left a bit to be desired in Paarl. Adam Zampa is a vital cog in the middle overs, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc capable of providing 30 good overs. Also, Australia have the question of who will be their fifth and sixth bowlers – Ashton Agar may need to be brought back.

Possible Playing 11

South Africa could stick with the same team that won in Paarl.

South Africa: 1. Janneman Malan, 2. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 3. Temba Bavuma, 4. Kyle Verreyne, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Keshav Maharaj, 9. Anrich Nortje, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Tabriaz Shamsi

Ashton Agar was the top wicket-taker in the T20I series with eight. He could replace D’Arcy Short as he is a more reliable bowling option.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (c), 3. Steve Smith, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Mitchell Marsh, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood

Bloemfontein Pitch Report and Conditions

Bloemfontein is known to have the biggest outfield in South Africa, so the fittest batsmen can prosper most in what is forecast to be hot, dry conditions. The track is one of the slower ones in South Africa, so cutters and spin could play a role.

Drram11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

A tough one to call. South Africa don’t have a good record playing from in front this summer, so it remains to be seen how that plays on their mind.

Australia have the quality to bounce back, and they might just do so in this one.

Thanks for reading!