South Africa vs Australia, 3rd T20I, Cape Town: Preview, likely XI, prediction

A ripping series will come to a conclusion in Cape Town when South Africa and Australia clash in the third T20I of their brief series. It’s the decider, with each team winning one in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, and it’s too close to call.

Australia were dominant in the first T20I, and it seemed the spark South Africa had showed against England was temporary. They were bundled out for just 89, in a massive chase of 197, with Ashton Agar taking career-best figures of 5/24, including a hat-trick.

However, South Africa ensured that defeat was an aberration when they fought back in the second T20I in Port Elizabeth. And it was down to their bowlers. They set a small target of 159, but defended that by a full 12 runs, with Lungi Ngidi starring again with a 3/41.

The series was levelled, and South Africa had once again showed the spunk they’ve had since Quinton de Kock took charge of their new era. However, against England, all that spunk only ended in a series defeat. It’s time now to convert the performances into results. Can they do that against Australia?

Australia themselves will be keen to get one over the home side. In their last tour of South Africa, Australia had perhaps their most disappointing tours in their history, with the ball-tampering scandal, and they will be keen to notch up a few wins and push that in the backburner.

Head to head

There have been 20 T20Is played between these sides. Australia hold the head-to-head advantage, with 12 wins in those clashes, with South Africa winning the remaining eight. Which way will Wednesday go?

Key players

Quinton de Kock (South Africa): South Africa’s bowling, it seems, can hold its own, but it’s the batters that are a problem, and that’s where de Kock comes in. The captain and wicketkeeper-batsman is also their best batsman on current form, and he’ll need to fire to give the home side a chance.

Ashton Agar (Australia): Agar has been superb this series. While he followed up his five wickets in the first match with 0/28 in the second, he was still economical and that’s as good as wickets in this format. He will cause trouble.

Likely XIs

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwayne Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

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

Prediction

South Africa to win.