South Africa vs Australia, 1st T20I, Johannesburg: Preview, likely XI, prediction

South Africa vs Australia, 1st T20I, Johannesburg: Preview, likely XI, prediction

Aaron Finch Mitchell Starc David Warner Australia

Australians are currently touring South Africa to play a three-match T20I series and three-match ODI series. The two teams will meet in the first T20 International on February 21 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

The hosts are going through a phase of transition. They just recently lost the T20I series against England 1-2. Quinton de Kock is the new captain for them who is looking to bring a few new ideas to the group to motivate and charge them up. Faf du Plessis has been included in the squad and his experience will be vital. However, they will lose out Temba Bavuma for the first T20I, who had a very good outing against England. Bavuma has to miss this series due to a hamstring strain. Their bowling is the main concern and they would expect both Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi to shine to trouble the Australian batsmen. They also have Dale Steyn who could be used intelligently to add additional firepower.

Australia played their last T20I in November when they beat Pakistan 2-0 at home. This is also a much-anticipated return to South Africa for Steve Smith post the ‘ball-tampering’ scandal. He will be a mainstay for Australia batting and will look to flourish in the middle order especially now when Glenn Maxwell is injured. Maxwell has been replaced by D’Arcy Short. They are well covered in the bowling department with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc leading the pack. Even someone like Josh Hazlewood is not getting a spot in the squad which was pointed out by Cummins as proof of their bowling strength.

Head to head

The tally reads 11-7 in favour of Australia.

Key Players

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)– Rassie van der Dussen continued his good start in international cricket. His ODI average is an astonishing 70.70 whereas in T20I’s his average is a respectable 33.90 after 12 matches including two fifties. With de Kock expected to provide a solid start at the top, Dussen is expected to control the middle order and provide the final push.

Pat Cummins (Australia)– Pat Cummins is arguably one of the best bowlers in the current pack and he keeps performing in all three formats. Australia will look for him to run through the South African top and middle order to ensure that the target is not too much for them or in case of batting first, then can defend their target easily.

Likely XIs

South Africa-Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock (c/wk), David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwayne Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

Australia– Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa