Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

SA vs AUS 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs AUS 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today | SA vs AUS T20 Port Elizabeth Pitch Report | South Africa vs Australia 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 | SA vs AUS 2nd T20I Dream11

South Africa hadn’t lost the first game of any series this summer. Across formats, the Proteas seemed to hold their own when a new series came around, and their competitive T20I showings against England provided some hope for the future.

However, that all came crashing down in a nightmare outing in Johannesburg. They lost by their biggest margin after bleeding runs with the ball and finishing on the wrong end of an Ashton Agar-inspired onslaught. South Africa have gone nearly a year without a series win in any format, so a loss here will prolong the hurt a little more.

On the flip side, just about everything went right for Australia in the opening T20I. David Warner couldn’t quieten the Johannesburg crowd, but Steve Smith did, setting the platform for a big score. Also, with Australia’s bowling attack in imperious touch in T20Is, skipper Aaron Finch will be after more of the same at St George’s Park as a series win beckons.

Check this out: Have what it takes to be a Cricket Manager? Introducing Cricket Tycoon – an innovative cricket manager game where you can take on your friends and other managers

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Quinton de Kock has been superb for South Africa in recent times. However, he has not enjoyed facing Mitchell Starc. Starc has dismissed de Kock in three of the last four white-ball meetings between the sides.
• David Warner missed out in Johannesburg. However, he remains the top run-scorer among active players in SA-AUS T20Is (333).
• Steve Smith’s last four T20I innings since October 2019: 53* (36), 13 (9), 80* (51) and 45 (32). Aaron Finch also looked in fine touch last game (42 off 27 balls).
• South Africa will be hoping Temba Bavuma is fit after playing well vs England recently: 43 (27), 31 (29), 49 (24).
• Matt Wade and Mitch Marsh, two strong BBL performers, threatened to go big last game. They are players to watch again.
• But, the main man was Ashton Agar. Inspired by Ravindra Jadeja, Agar scored 20 off 9 balls then tore through SA with five wickets, including a hat-trick. Can he go well again on a slower PE track?
• Agar’s last seven T20Is: 4-0-13-1, 4-0-27-2, 4-0-24-0, 3-0-23-1, 4-0-23-2, 4-0-25-1, 4-0-24-5
• David Miller is under pressure to perform. He averages 134.00 in ODIs at Port Elizabeth, so he will be hoping to transfer that over to T20Is.
• Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took a combined 15 wickets in the SL and PAK T20Is during the Aussie season. They took a combined three wickets in Jo’Burg.
• Tabraiz Shamsi held his own well at Jo’Burg, and could enjoy the PE surface. However, he will need more support from his seamers, particularly Kagiso Rabada, who went for 45 in three overs.
• Adam Zampa has taken 20 wickets in his last 11 white-ball matches.

Stats and Facts

• Only two T20Is have been played at Port Elizabeth, with the last being in 2012.
• Australia’s win by 107 runs last game was South Africa’s biggest ever margin of defeat in T20Is.
• Australia now lead the head-to-head 6-5 in South Africa.
• Aaron Finch is 80 runs away from becoming the second Australian after David Warner to reach 2,000 T20I runs.
• Dale Steyn needs one more wicket to take 700 international scalps.

Key to a South Africa win

Quinton de Kock holds such an important key to the Proteas’ batting. If he fires, the rest can follow, including the likes of Faf du Plessis and David Miller, whose experience must come to the fore in a time of need.

Also, South Africa’s bowling and fielding was poor at times last game. Kagiso Rabada needs to lead the attack better, to set a platform for the likes of Tabraiz Shamsi to work wonders in the middle overs.

Key to an Australia win

The challenge for Australia will be to replicate such a great performance first up. One change they would like is to see David Warner go big in this game as we know he can, which sets up the game nicely for Australia.

Also, can the bowling attack work wonders again? Ashton Agar was the surprise destroyer last game, and he and Adam Zampa can look to exploit South Africa’s weaknesses against spin. If Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins can strike early, watch out.

Possible Playing 11

South Africa are assessing the fitness of Temba Bavuma. If he plays, Rassie van der Dussen, who needs to build on recent starts, will drop down the order. JJ Smuts or Pite van Vilijon (or both) will likely drop out.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Faf du Plessis, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. Jon-Jon Smuts/Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Tabraiz Shamsi, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Australia could stick with the same XI that won the first game so well.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Steve Smith, 4. Matthew Wade, 5. Mitchell Marsh, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Kane Richardson/Sean Abbott, 11. Adam Zampa

St George’s Park Port Elizabeth Pitch and Conditions

St George’s Park is typically one of the slower surfaces in South Africa. There could be some slight turn on offer in this match.

Temperatures are set to be cooler compared to the heat of Jo’Burg, with the forecast suggesting a day in the early 20s and low humidity.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

A big game for South Africa. It remains to be seen how well they can bounce back after such a terrible night in Johannesburg.

They have the talent to be more competitive here. However, Australia looks a side in great touch. Australia to prevail with a win.

Thanks for reading!

Check this out: Have what it takes to be a Cricket Manager? Introducing Cricket Tycoon – an innovative cricket manager game where you can take on your friends and other managers