Australia’s tour of South Africa continues on Thursday afternoon, with the first One Day International from Bloemfontein. We’ve ran our eye over this one and given you our two suggested best bets.
It’s another chance for Temba Bavuma’s men, after they were comprehensively out played and demolished 3-0 by Australia in the T20 series.
Mitch Marsh has relished his role as the new white ball skipper and led his side by example in the series, scoring 92* and 79* in the first two matches to clinch the series.
Now the Aussies are looking for a similar result in the five match ODI series and will be looking to build momentum ahead of next month’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Players from both sides will be desperate to prove their worth, ahead of the six-week long festival of cricket and secure their places firmly down for a seat on the plane.
Team news:
The Proteas have bolstered their ranks for the 50-over series with the retiring Quinton de Kock returning, as well as David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, and Anrich Nortje.
Australia are still without Pat Cummins, who is recovering from a fractured wrist and also Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell who are not fully ready to play again after injury. Pacer Spencer Johnson has been drafted in to the squad.
Australia to win – 8/11
Australia looks like a side high on life and full of self-belief right now.
Say what you want about how they retained the Ashes but they played some fabulous cricket at times and will want to have a real go at recapturing their title in India.
The 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in the T20 will have further bolstered that inner belief and they will be looking to go to the sub continent on the back of another heavy score line in the 50-over format.
Meanwhile, South Africa look devoid of confidence and have to go back to January against England, for a meaningful series victory with the white ball.
This one should be another comfortable Australian win.
Mitchell Marsh top Aus run scorer – 3/1
“The most hated man in Australia”, has quickly become one of the most beloved.
Entering last chance saloon ahead of the Ashes series, an injury to Cameron Green gave Marsh the opportunity he craved in the all-rounder role and boy did he take it.
Not only did he hit a ton in his first match but ended up averaging over 50 with the bat for the series, as well as taking some vital wickets, twice removing Zak Crawley when he looked set.
The 31-year-old has taken that confidence straight back into his most established arena of white ball cricket, hitting 171 runs without being dismissed to secure an easy series victory.
Being handed the captaincy has made thrive and he will be one of the key weapons for Australia in the upcoming World Cup.
He can continue his incredible form here with a big knock in the longer format, to get the tourists off to a quick start.
Share Article
