After being whitewashed in the three-match T20I series, South Africa would have hoped to turn their fortunes in the ODIs. However, the first of the three-match ODI series in Bloemfontein didn’t go their way as Australia’s never-say-die attitude came to the fore once again. Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first on a sluggish surface.
The South African batters struggled to find their timing as the naturally aggressive Quinton de Kock was dismissed after scoring just 11 runs off 31 balls. Rassie van der Dussen was run out after a poor call from captain, Temba Bavuma. The diminutive batter, however, held firm from one end and received decent support from Marco Jansen, who scored a 40-ball 32. Bavuma carried his bat as he scored a majestic 114 off 142 balls, studded with 14 fours and one six. The visitors bundled their opponents out for just 222 in 49 overs.
Marco Jansen gave the hosts the ideal start as he dismissed David Warner for a duck off the second ball of the innings. However, instead of applying pressure on the Aussies, Jansen and Kagiso Rabada gave a few freebies, as Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh hit 10 fours and one six between them, respectively. Australian batters played some rash shots that helped the home side claw back into the match.
Soon after, the five-time ODI World Cup champions found themselves reeling at 113/7. Marnus Labuschagne, who came in as a concussion substitute for Cameron Green, played a patient knock of 80* off 93 balls, while Ashton Agar remained unbeaten on 48* off 69 balls, as their 112-run partnership helped Australia to gain an important 1-0 lead over the hosts, South Africa.
Pitch and conditions
The second game is also going to be played at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. In the first game, the pitch was sluggish, but it seemed to ease out a tad bit, under lights, in the second innings. The captain winning the toss could elect to bowl first once again.
Probable Playing XI For SA vs AUS
South Africa
The Proteas might look to bring in Tabraiz Shamsi in place of a pacer. Marco Jansen might just hold onto his spot thanks to his all-round abilities. Gerald Coetzee, who picked up a couple of wickets in the first ODI, could make way for Shamsi. The left-arm wrist spinner could prove to be handy on the kind of pitch that Mangaung Oval tends to offer.
Probable Playing XI: Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Australia
The tourists are yet to lose a match on this tour. Cameron Green, who got hit on his left ear by a short ball from Rabada in the first ODI, might miss this game. Marnus Labuschagne could start in the playing Xi in Green’s absence. However, that would mean that Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head will have to bowl 10 overs between them. The other option is replacing Green with all-rounder Aaron Hardie and bringing Labuschagne in place of Josh Inglish.
Probable Playing XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
SA vs AUS Head-to-head:
Played – 104, South Africa – 51, Australia – 49, No Result – 3, Tied – 1
SA vs AUS Broadcast and Live Streaming Details:
Match Timings: 4:30 PM IST
Live Broadcast: Star Sports
Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
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