The final of the Zimbabwe tri-series will be played between Australia and South Africa and you can follow the live scores and blog of this ODI on Saturday starting 5.30 pm AEST.
It has been an interesting league stage and one that was barely able to separate the two teams which made the final in the end. South Africa looked better in parts but Australia will claim the set-score, in keeping with the tennis flavour from the US Open, is 1-1.
In short, we are headed into the decider with the team winning this game, laying the rightful claim to the title.
South Africa showed their pedigree in all but one of their games, their only loss coming at the hands of Australia. They came back strongly next game to out-muscle the hosts, Zimbabwe and seal their berth in the final.
Australia, on the other hand, went down to the Proteas in their opening encounter and when most fans expected them to bounce back from that defeat, they further plummeted to depths of woes, with a loss to Zimbabwe.
If the Aussie batting in that game was below-par – thanks to their frailties against spin bowling – their bowling lacked penetration and was listless at best. The absence of Mitchell Johnson seemed to peg them back further.
Any other team would have had their morale crushed so badly by that defeat to Zimbabwe that coming back from it would have been an improbable scenario. That Australia managed that can be attributed to their mental strength and to the combination of Mitchell Marsh and Johnson.
Marsh helped Australia set up a solid total in that game, building on a base set by Phil Hughes before Johnson’s terrific spell of 2/30 from nine overs pulled the Aussies through to an easy win.
That win, however, did not look a foregone conclusion till the time Faf du Plessis was at the crease – busy constructing a second successive century against the Aussies. He followed it up with a third one of the series and as acknowledged by his captain, AB de Villiers, is in the form of his life.
While de Villiers will hope he hasn’t peaked too early before the World Cup, he wouldn’t a fourth ton in the final of this competition.
So what will the playing XIs of the two teams look like?
South Africa have a problem. Or two. Morne Morkel has a rotator cuff tear which he will need to overcome early morning on Saturday if he wants to feature in the game, while middle-order batsman – and all-rounder in these conditions – JP Duminy has a knee issue.
If Duminy gets ruled out, and in the absence of Ryan McLaren, Rilee Rossouw will get another chance to show his credentials, while Morkel could be replaced by Imran Tahir, who was rested from the previous one.
Australia will look to push for the same playing XI but the presence of Kane Richardson could be a bit of question-mark – he is struggling side injury and could sit out. James Faulkner will come in his place.
Join me for this 5th ODI between Australia and South Africa on Tuesday here and you can follow the live score of this game from 5.30 pm and post your comments below.
octogenarian
Guest
U left out AB. It is not de Villiers : it is ALWAYS AB AB AB de Villiers. U should know that.
Neil
Guest
That's obviously not based on statistics. I guess it is a 'gut feel'
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. I agree that Steyn is the best when he's in his snake eyes trance. But that's not all that common. There were moments of Johnson in the Ashes where he looked that good. I think Harris' "ability to focus" is unquestionable. You might find this entertaining: http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?207524-VIDEO-Dale-Steyn-Scared-Quinton-de-Kock
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It has, but Steyn's almost maniacal ability to focus aligned with his talent makes him head and shoulders above anyone else for me. Johnson has improved a lot generally but he's never going to be at Steyn's level.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
BHT, Brumby's assertion relates to the "deadliness" of the fast bowlers. I'm not convinced by your use of "temperament" as a determiner of "deadliness". Generally speaking, I think it's clear that Johnson's temperament has improved.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
No, Johnson has never been able to match Steyn in terms of temperament, Steyn's mental attitude to the game is superlative..
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate, but I cannot accept that "Australia do have lots of fast bowling stocks but none as deadly as steyn and morkel". Cut Morkel out of there and your argument is tenable. For mine, I consider Steyn, Johnson and Harris to be on the same level. Granted Steyn is the most skilled at reverse swing.
Brumby king
Guest
To be honest guys any team can beat australia nowadays. They just have to roll out spin friendly pitches thats all it takes. I dont think they have any answers for reverse swig either, even if they had warner, watson and clarke there, steyn are way to deadly to handle on any pitch against any batting line-up. South africa really deserve to be no.1 in all forms. Their batting are so world class that australian bowlers struggles to get their top 4 batsmen out, even when australia hit 300+ south africa cruised to that total with only the top 4 batsmen. Australia do have lots of fast bowling stocks but none as deadly as steyn and morkel and by the look of things i dont think australia have what it takes to win the world cup in their own back yard.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I think lack of pace definitely doesn't help his perception.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I can understand batting being rusty, but fielding should never be so. You are being to soft on them there. Fielding should always be sharp.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Clint McKay had a poor series in the India ODIs (where not too many bowlers had a good one anyway), a reasonable one against England and was dropped. And that came after he won the Aussie ODI Cricketer of the Year award. Is the perception he creates because of his lack of pace as compared to the others in the Australian attack, that goes against him?
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Thanks Ronan, the beer was to come out of the fridge after Djokovic & Federer won their semi-finals. It didn't.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Cheers Tom!
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Yeah, agreed. I think that bolstering the top order will help the middle order though. But you're right. The issue is Bailey not being the rock he was in India really.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Top order was not the problem. Hughes and Finch both did well, Finch very well,the big problem was the middle and lower order apart from Marsh.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Wise words Ronan. I'd like to see more of McKay before the WC. I agree re Watto's role.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Cheers Suneer, quality work as always. Time for a beer perhaps?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Australia just looked really rusty in all facets - even in the field. That is somewhat understandable given they hadn't played an ODI for seven months prior to this series. But they will need to improve against Pakistan next month or they'll struggle in the ODIs over there in the UAE. They definitely missed Clarke, Warner and Watson. Watto plays a very underrated role with the ball given his ability to stall the run rate in the middle overs and also provide a decent death bowling option. McKay too used to be very handy with his ability to stem the flow of runs. Australia will be hoping he regains form in the domestic one dayers next month.They looked much more balanced with him in the side.
felix
Guest
:-D Cheers Aussies,see you later when we take the world cup down under,how sweet that would be,in your own backyard!.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Thanks Suneer. See you for the Pak series.