The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

South Africa vs Australia highlights: International cricket 3rd ODI scores, blog

5th October, 2016
Start time: 10:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Kingsmead
Last meeting: South Africa 6-361 (50 overs) defeated Australia 219 all out (37.4 overs) by 142 runs
Squads:

SOUTH AFRICA
F du Plessis (c), KJ Abbott, HM Amla, F Behardien, Q de Kock, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, DA Miller, WD Parnell, AM Phangiso, AL Phehlukwayo, D Pretorius, K Rabada, T Shamsi, DW Steyn

AUSTRALIA
SPD Smith*, DA Warner, GJ Bailey, SM Boland, AJ Finch, JW Hastings, TM Head, UT Khawaja, MR Marsh, JM Mennie, CP Tremain, MS Wade, DJ Worrall, A Zampa
Quinton de Kock needs to be instrumental for Australia. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Roar Guru
5th October, 2016
236
8069 Reads

Australia will be in the hunt for a series-saving win when they take on the confident South Africa in the third ODI of their series at Kingsmead in Durban. Be sure to follow The Roar for our live scores and blog of the match from 10:30pm (AEDT).

It was well-known from the start of the series that the Australian bowling wasn’t going to be particularly penetrating and South Africa have taken of this obvious chink in the tourists’ armour.

In the first ODI, despite scoring close to 300, Australia endured their much-publicised problem when it was South Africa’s chance to bat. Quinton de Kock’s massive hundred saw South Africa through to a win with nearly 14 overs to spare – a huge margin given the score they were chasing.

This is exactly why Australia opted to field first at Wanderers in the second game but life did not become any easier. The plethora of greenhorns in their bowling attack allowed South Africa to take full toll and a Faf du Plessis century and fifties for Rilee Rossouw and JP Duminy led the Proteas to a score of 361 from their 50 overs.

Even with their strong batting line-up, Australia managed just 219 in return. Scoreboard pressure and the early wickets of Aaron Finch and Steven Smith ensured there were no worries for the hosts, who went on to take a 2-0 lead.

While David Warner said the second game was lost in the first ten overs of each innings, George Bailey said he wants more from Australia’s batsmen.

Both are justified in their requests, but putting them into practice is going to be difficult.

There is that niggling sense that whatever Australia scores, their bowling isn’t experienced enough to defend it, not potent enough to create pressure throughout the 50 overs.

Advertisement

South Africa are a team that has gone through some transition in recent past. They have endured some poor results and off-field controversies.

However, since the start of their recent home series against New Zealand, something seems to have changed for the better. Call it resurgence or a desire to give it their all and leave the rest off the field, but it seems to have worked well for them and, by the looks of it, they will not be taking their foot off the pedal.

They might have one injury concern in the form of Dale Steyn, who appeared to struggle with his hamstring. The Proteas’ selectors may look to rest him and, if that is the case, one of Kyle Abbott or Dwaine Pretorius could get a go.

The other debate over the South African team is whether to pick Rossouw or stalwart Hashim Amla. Rossouw has been given the nod so far, and that move seems to be working well. It’s unlikely Amla will get a chance in this game unless there are any fitness issues either.

Be sure to join The Roar for our live scores and blog of the third ODI between South Africa and Australia from 9:30pm (AEDT).

close