New Delhi:
The Men from Down Under take on the Proteas in their own backyard in an ODI series that commences later this month.
The South Africans under Hansie Cronje were the dominant side in the ODI cricket way back in the mid and late 90s. With the turn of the century, Aussies took over as the powerhouse in world cricket which saw their hegemony at the top for almost a decade. In the mid 90's, the Proteas had some classic encounters with the Aussies for battling out for the Numero Uno position.
The thrilling 1999 World Cup semifinal affair which saw the Aussies winning a cliffhanger courtesy the Donald-Klusener mishap is long etched in the memory of cricket fans. The two sides met yet again in the semis of the 2007 World Cup played in the Caribbean. This time the Aussies inflicted a crushing victory over the Africans after bundling them out for a paltry 149. In March 2006, the sides played out a run feast on a belter of a track at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
The record 438 run chase by the Proteas is arguably the greatest run chase by a team in the ODIs. Besides these classic encounters, the bilateral series between the two titans have been keenly contested.The Aussies and the South Africans play their cricket in pretty much similar fashion.
Both teams have a regimented and highly professional approach to their training regimen. Both these sides have boasted of world class pace attacks. The nations have pretty similar playing conditions with seamer friendly wickets offering pace and bounce. But one thing which separates the Aussies from the Proteas is their ability to handle pressure and win crunch games at ICC World Cups and showpiece events. The Africans have often been labelled as ‘Chokers’ owing to their inability to handle big match pressure whereas the Aussies with their killer instinct leave no stone unturned to win a major final.Â
The upcoming series between the cricketing heavyweights shall once again reignite their much revered rivalry.Â
SquadsÂ
South Africa - Â AB de Villiers (c) Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi and Dale Steyn
Australia -Â Steven Smith (c) David Warner (vc) George Bailey, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade (wk) Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa
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Team PreviewsÂ
South Africa
The Proteas have a top heavy batting order with elegant stroke makers in the flamboyant southpaw Quinton De Cock, ever consistent Hashim Amla, the batting genius AB De Villiers and the ever dependable Faf Du Plessis. Their middle order shall be bolstered by the presence of seasoned all-rounder Jean Paul Duminy, hard hitting batsman David Miller and wicket-keeper batsman Farhaan Behardien.
South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn post making a comeback to international cricket shall be raring to go against the Australian top order. Steyn shall be supported in the pace attack by Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell and Kyle Abbott who all are masters at exploiting the swing and bounce on offer in the well bound and hard rolled South African wickets.
Leggie Imran Tahir shall look to cast a web around the Aussies with rookie spinner Aaron Phangiso would look to make an impact on the international scene.
Australia Â
The Aussies have the dangerous opening pair of David Warner and Aaron Finch who can tear away attacks with their destructive stroke play. The middle order has Steven Smith who is pleasing to watch with his busy stroke play. George Bailey adds a sense of calmness in the middle with the way he goes about his batting.
Matthew Wade shall don the wicket keeping gloves and look to chip in with the bat. All-rounders James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head shall provide the much required impetus to their batting order. Meanwhile, hard hitting all-rounder Glen Maxwell despite his good showing in the recently concluded ODI quadrilateral series featuring 'A' teams of international sides has been overlooked for the upcoming series.
The Australian seam attack looks to a little weakened in the absence of a seasoned pacers Mitchell Starc, Jos Hazelwood and Nathan Coulter Nile who are battling injuries woes. Â Aussie selectors have fielded fresh blood by selecting budding young pacers in Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain and Daniel Worrall to support seamers John Hastings and Scot Boland in the pace attack.
Meanwhile, Adam Zampa would be their front-line spinner after his good showing in the Sri Lankan series.
Recent Form
The Australians will be high on confidence after their thumping 4-1 series win over Sri Lanka in the recently concluded ODI series. Meanwhile South Africa hasn’t been at their best after a dismal outing at the Tri Series, they played against the Aussies and Windies this June in the Caribbean. The Proteas had missed out on a final berth.
Series Prediction
South Africa has always been a potent side at home conditions so shall start as favourites. However, the inform Australians would fancy their chances heading into the series at the back of a thumping win against Sri Lanka in their own backyard. So in a nutshell, the clash of the titans has all the making for yet another tight series.
