After a resounding win in their first game back to international cricket, Australia will look to add another to their kitty when they take on South Africa in their second game on Wednesday. Join The Roar from 5:30pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Australia’s last win was more than just resounding. in fact, it was a pummeling. A definition of a rout. An exhibition of the chasm that exists between the two sides on show that day.
Australia can expect a step-up in quality when take field for their second ODI, however, against South Africa. In fact, it will be in this game it will be tested whether their rustiness has been shrugged off.
To be honest, there were no signs in either their batting or bowling to suggest they had been away for a considerable length of time.
Brad Haddin started off slow but caught on later, Aaron Finch was his usual aggressive-self, Glenn Maxwell made bowlers’ lives miserable thanks to his unorthodox batting and then there was Mitchell Marsh who batted at three, combining aplomb and maturity of a 250-match veteran.
Marsh also won the man of the match award for that effort.
Mitchell Johnson pegged the Zimbabwe back with the ball, Mitchell Starc and Marsh bowled reasonably well, while James Faulkner also picked up a scalp.
And while Nathan Lyon went for a few, it could be put down to the fact he was playing in his first ODI after a considerable gap and he did manage to pick up a couple of wickets too. Steven Smith came on to bowl later and added three to his career tally.
The convincing nature of that win and the fact that Australia did not need an extra batsman during the game means that there’s every chance the side will look to keep Phil Hughes yet again. Michael Clarke, however, may not be fit enough to lead the side and won’t return for this one either, allowing the management to not make any change to the XI.
Unlike Australia, South Africa have been around, featuring in international cricket in recent times. Following the World T20 in Bangladesh they toured Sri Lanka and won both, the Test and the ODI series in that country. And then as a part of a warm-up for this tri-series they took on and crushed Zimbabwe 3-0 in a three-match series.
The good news for the South African side is that they will have Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel back for this one but there will be no place for the injured Vernon Philander. It will be interesting to see who will they replace to make it back to the playing XI – they have Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren to choose from.
Hashim Amla was rested from the third ODI against Zimbabwe and should return in place of Rilee Rossouw while captain AB de Villiers will also be back and take the place of David Miller in the line-up.
Interestingly, the last time these two sides had met was in the final game of their three-match series in October 2011 – yes, it’s been almost three years since they played each other in this format. Australia had won that game and hence the series 2-1.
Overall, Australia hold a slight edge on head to head, having won 41 out of the 80 matches between these two sides, with South Africa having won just 36.
What makes it interesting is that only two players from that Australian XI will take part in this game, while South Africa still have five of those players available to them – a pointer towards the way time has flown by.
Join me for this 2nd ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe on Monday here and you can follow the live score of this game from 5.30 pm and post your comments below.
Considering that there are usually no more than 6 specialist batsmen in an ODI team, de Kock averages 50 de Villiers averages 50 Amla averages 55 Duminy averages 39 DU PLessis averages 30, improved to 40 average over his last 10 matches. MIller averages 31. Not sure how many batsmen per team does much better than that?
Tom from Perth
Guest
I was really hoping Zim would win Suneer.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Goes to show that if Amla and Faf fail, and AB isn't there, they have no batting depth. If we had of gotten Faf or AB out last match we would have won. JP is reasonable as well I suppose, and de kok is getting better.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Yep. Tahir is the danger man.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Phangiso & Tahir will make it very difficult even with 200 to defend I think.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Yep, cannot see any other way over the next three games. On the other hand, surprised to see South Africa bat in such a contrasting fashion over just two days.
Tom from Perth
Guest
There goes another one... Zim could win this!
Tom from Perth
Guest
I'm watching it as well Suneer... Dumb move not to bowl Lyon. He must come in next game.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
In the end it did turn out to be unexpectedly one-sided.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couldn't help but add this. Watching the South Africa v Zimbabwe game and the Saffers are 5/155 in 31. And who has taken those wickets? Off-spinner Prosper Utseya. All five of them, including a hat-trick. I am quite sure Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke & co. are watching this.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Doubt El Capitan will come out and cry about it though!
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Ronan, they use him as a death bowler, how can that square with him not having to worry about run-rate? Our attack is pretty young apart from Johnson, it will take a while for wiliness to grow.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
My word the Aussie bowlers have let some games go lately. Anyone must fancy their chances against our one day attack.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
That isn't his role - he is a strike bowler not someone entrusted with slowing the run rate.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
We were thrashed!
Tom from Perth
Guest
Thanks Suneer
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A look down the Australian figures cuts a sorry tale. No bowler conceded less than six an over, and Marsh, Maxwell and Smith combined to bowl 10 overs for 76 runs. Given how well the Saffers batted, I wonder whether Nathan Lyon's presence would have made a huge difference but it must also be said that there seemed to be a lot of oneness about the Aussie bowling. A slow bowler with a lot more control than Smith could have been a good change-up but all that's up for speculation. That will be it from me, it has been an interesting couple of matches. Next up in the series is one between South Africa and Zimbabwe but we will be back with the live blog for the game after that when Zimbabwe take on Australia on Sunday. Till then, have a good time!
Sandy
Guest
SA win by 7 ah well, next one is on the 2nd I think.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Not too many would have thought South Africa would win it this easy. The match almost ceased to be a contest around an hour ago for me, when the two centurions looked to be toying with the bowling. A flat pitch played bit of a part but full marks to the way de Plessis and de Villiers chased that down. More than full marks in fact.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A bouncer from Faulkner was called a wide before Duminy times one through mid-wicket for a four. Faulkner slows the pace down but drifts it down to the leg-side for another wide. Just one needed from 21 balls... ...and they require one more ball to get there! South Africa win easy.