Match Details
- Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- Date: 21st February 2020
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
- League: Australia’s tour of South Africa
South Africa Preview
South Africa recently finished a 3-match T20I series at home against England. While they lost the series 1-2, the return of Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada to the T20I squad will give them much confidence. Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock have been in good touch at the top consistently scoring runs for the side. In addition, Rassie van der Dussen has stepped up in the middle-order and justified his role in the side.
When Dussen failed at number 3 in the 3rd and final T20I against England, Heinrich Klaasen scored a fifty at number 4 helping the side reach 222 runs batting first. David Miller is another middle-order batsman to watch out for in South Africa batting order. While the bowlers were expensive in the last T20I series, Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo were successful in bagging wickets. The hosts will need some of their bowlers to maintain a good economy while picking up wickets.
Australia Preview
Australia’s last T20I series was against Pakistan at home which they won 2-0. Since then, Australia has played an away ODI series against India. Steve Smith shined with the bat during the T20i series against Pakistan while Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, and Pat Cummins helped restrict the opposition to low totals in both matches. Aussies bring the same bowling attack to South Africa with Abott, Starc, Cummins, Adam Zampa, and Kane Richardson.
In addition, the bowling all-rounders Ashton Agar and Jhye Richardson are also in the squad for T20i series against the Proteas. The batting department looks solid with the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, Aaron Finch, and D’Arcy Short. While wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey has also made it to the T20i squad alongside Matthew Wade, Carey will be the one to watch out for. During the BBL, Alex Carey delivered consistently for his franchise and is in great form. If Aaron Finch and David Warner get off to a good start, Aussies have a strong middle-order to take care of the finishing responsibilities.
Match Prediction
Australia to win the match
Australia has a stronger batting line-up in comparison to the home team. Also, with the kind of form their bowlers are in, Australia clearly has the advantage. South Africa, on the other hand, will be relying on a few good batsmen at the top, and if Starc and Cummins get rid of de Kock and Bavuma early on in the innings, Aussies will be right on top of the game.
Fantasy Team Tips
- Quinton de Kock is in great form with the bat and will be crucial for the hosts as an opener. The second most popular choice for wicket-keeper among fantasy teams is Heinrich Klaasen.
- However, his inclusion in the team is not very certain and hence, Alex Carey is a great catch for 2nd wicket-keeper in the fantasy team.
- Opening batsman form both teams are crucial when it comes to scoring at higher run rates and therefore gaining more points.
- Mitchell Marsh can play a good inning on the flat tracks in South Africa and is the top choice for Australian all-rounder with 61% fantasy teams having selected him.
- For South Africa, both Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius are both impact players when it comes to bowling all-rounders.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keepers – Quinton de Kock, Alex Carey
- Batsmen – Aaron Finch, David Warner, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen
- All-rounders – M Marsh, Andile Phehlukwayo
- Bowlers – Adam Zampa,M Starc, L Ngidi
- Captain – David Warner
- Vice-Captain – Quinton de Kock