Match Details
- Venue: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfotein
- Date: 4th March 2020
- Time: 4:30 PM IST
- League: Australia tour of South Africa
South Africa Preview
After losing the T20i series, the Proteas have a chance at sealing the ODI series with a win at Bloemfontein in the 2nd ODI. While they definitely started as the underdogs in the 1st ODI, Heinrich Klaasen and the bowlers had different plans. The wicket-keeper batsman scored unbeaten 123 while David Miller added crucial 64 runs at number 6. The two added 149 runs for the 5th wicket after the 78-runs partnership between Klaasen and Kyle Verreynne for the 4th wicket.
The bowling attack was exceptional in defending 291 runs as Lungi Ngidi picked 3 for 30 in his 8 overs while Shamsi and Nortje bagged 2 wickets each. South Africa’s bowling attack is reliable with Keshav Maharaj, all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in the side in addition to Ngidi and Shamsi. However, the failure of the top 3 batsmen should concern the hosts going into the 2nd ODI.
Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma have delivered for South Africa in the previous ODI series at home against England. While these two can be expected to bounce back, Janneman Malan will need to improve on his performance and build a partnership with the skipper.
Australia Preview
Aaron Finch will be disappointed the way Aussies went down in the chase against Proteas in the 1st ODI. With experienced batsmen like Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Steve Smith in the top 3, 217-10 is a disappointing total. Steve Smith (76) and Marnus Labuschagne (41) were the top contributors in the visitors’ innings. Finch and Warner failed to build a partnership for the 1st wicket. In addition, batsmen at numbers 5, 6, and 7 also failed to steady a sinking Australian ship.
Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, and D Arcy Short add depth and strength to the Aussie batting line-up. And in a scenario like the 1st ODI, these 3 will have a big role to play in the middle and lower order. Pat Cummins is in great touch and along with Hazlewood and Starc can give the visitors early success. While Hazlewood dismissed South Africa skipper in the 1st ODI, these three will again be targeting de Kock in the 2nd ODI.
Some quick wickets in the power play will help Australia get on top of the game. If the Australian bowlers can repeat their performances in the first 10 overs, the home team’s middle-order will be under pressure again. While Miller and Klaasen had helped the hosts bounce back from the early losses in the 1st ODI, it will be a tough task to do it consistently against a quality bowling attack.
Match Prediction
Australia to win the match
While the hosts defeated Australia in a big way in the 1st ODI, Finch’s men have the potential to bounce back. Australia’s batting line-up features star batsmen like Warner, Smith and Finch at the top while the bowling attack is equipped with wicket-taking bowlers like Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood.
Fantasy Team Tips
- The two most sought after wicket-keeper batsmen among the fantasy teams are Quinton de Kock (86%) and Kyle Verreynne (41%). Whereas, only 16% of the fantasy teams have selected Australian wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey.
- Aussie top-order batsmen David Warner, Steve Smith, and the number 4 Marnus Labuschagne will form the core of a strong fantasy team batting line-up.
- In addition, South Africa’s number 3, Temba Bavuma and the in-form Heinrich Klaasen will add balance to the fantasy team.
- While Lungi Ngidi is without a doubt the leading bowler for South Africa, Cummins and Starc will lead Aussies with the ball.
- To add another bowler from South Africa to the fantasy team, consider selecting all-rounder Keshav Maharaj. While 48% of the fantasy teams have selected Mitchell Marsh, 40% have gone with Keshav Maharaj.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Quinton de Kock
- Batsmen – David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Temba Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen
- All-rounders – Mitchell Marsh, Keshav Maharaj
- Bowlers – M Starc, P Cummins, L Ngidi
- Captain – David Warner
- Vice-Captain – Quinton de Kock
Bonus Tip – To add more bowling options from the hosts (since they’re in good touch), consider replacing Marnus Labuschagne with Andile Phehlukwayo (9 credits) in the fantasy team. Another option for replacing Labuschagne can be David Miller (9 credits).