Match Details
- Venue: St George’s Park, Elizabeth
- Date: 23rd February 2020
- Time: 6:00 PM IST
- League: Australia tour of South Africa 2020
South Africa Preview
The hosts have got off to a losing start in the T20i series losing the 1st T20i by 107 runs at Johannesburg. Dale Steyn gave the first breakthrough dismissing David Warner as the Proteas won the toss and chose bowl first. While the Aussies bounced back after Warner’s early dismissal, Tabraiz Shamsi broke an 80-runs partnership between Smith and Finch. Steyn and Shamsi picked quick wickets in the 11th and 12th over to shock Australian middle-order.
However, Kagiso Rabada turned out to be expensive in his 3 over spell conceding 45 runs for no wickets. The opposition’s number 7 batsman Ashton Agar got the better of Proteas’ death bowlers. While chasing a target of 197 is not an easy task, South Africa’s batting was an utter disappointment. Faf du Plessis, Pite van Biljon, and Kagiso Rabada were the only batsmen with double digit scores as South Africa was bowled out for 89 runs.
Skipper Quinton de Kock will need to make a comeback along with Rassie van der Dussen, JJ Smuts, and David Miller in the middle. While Phehlukwayo did well with the ball, he needs to step up and contribute with the bat as well.
Australia Preview
Riding on Ashton Agar’s all-round performance, Aussies gained a lead in the T20i series 1-0. In addition to his 9 balls 20 runs inning at number 7, Agar picked 5 for 24 including a hat-trick. While David Warner was out early in the innings, skipper Aaron Finch and Steve Smith built a partnership for the 2nd wicket. However, following Finch’s dismissal, the number 4 and 5 batsmen were out soon scoring 18 and 19 runs respectively.
Alex Carey followed Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh in the batting line-up and scored 27 off 22 balls at number 6. While Finch and Smith added 80 runs for the 2nd wicket, the second biggest partnership in the innings was for the 5th wicket. Carey and Mitchell Marsh added 50 runs for the 5th wicket between 13th and 18th over. After the two were back in the hut, Australia added 25 runs to the total in the last 9 balls.
In the bowling department, Ashton Agar was exceptional with his bowling figures of 5 for 24. Whereas, Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins picked 2 wickets each while Kane Richardson was the only wicketless bowler. Going into next T20i, Aussies will look to continue their bowling form while expecting the batsmen in middle to don the finisher’s role.
Match Prediction
Australia to win the match
Australia will carry the winning momentum from the first match. The visitors have a strong batting line-up with the to and the lower-order batsmen also in form. In addition, the bowlers have just delivered an exceptional performance which will boost their confidence.
Fantasy Team Tips
- While Quinton de Kock failed in the last match, he is among the most crucial batsmen for South Africa.
- For Australia, Steve Smith and Aaron Finch have a big role to play at the top while Alex Carey is the most popular choice for wicket-keeper.
- Bowling all-rounder Ashton Agar shined with bat and ball in the last match. However, Mitchell Marsh finds a higher spot in the batting line-up. Looking at Agar’s bowling form, 75% of the fantasy teams have selected him.
- The bowling attack for the fantasy team can be formed in two ways. 2 Aussie and 1 Porteas bowler or 1 Aussie and 2 Proteas bowlers.
- While going for the first option, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc from Australia and Dale Steyn from South Africa is a good combination.
- And for the 2nd option, Tabraiz Shamsi and Steyn from South Africa along with Pat Cummins from Australia is another combination.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keepers – Alex Carey, Quinton de Kock
- Batsmen – Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen
- All-rounders – Ashton Agar, Andile Phehlukwayo
- Bowlers – Mitchell Starc/Pat Cummins, Dale Steyn, Adam Zampa/Tabraiz Shamsi
- Captain – Steve Smith
- Vice-Captain – Quinton de Kock