South Africa vs Australia, RSA vs AUS, Today Match Prediction 07 September 2023

RSA vs AUS Match Prediction & Analysis

Following a disappointing 3-0 drubbing in the T20Is against Australia, South Africa will now be focused on turning the tables in the ODI series. The first match of the series will be played at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. We can expect a better fight by the Proteas in the 50-over series, as they have a good recent record in the format. With the ODI World Cup just about a month away, both teams will be honing their strategies and fine-tuning their squads for the tournament.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

RSA

AUS

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

Despite losing the T20I series against Australia, South Africa will feel optimistic about their chances in the ODIs. That was a new-look side, but many of their regulars have returned for the 50-over series. 

Aiden Markram, after a successful outing in the T20I series, will be looking to continue his form in the ODIs. The stylish opening batter has accumulated 440 runs in his last 9 matches at a superb average of 55 and a strike rate of 110.

Captain Temba Bavuma may have struggled in the T20I series, but he is a fine player in ODI cricket. In 2023, the gutsy opener has smashed 420 runs in 6 ODIs at an outstanding average of 84, with two hundreds and one fifty. 

Another batter who we believe will make an impact is Heinrich Klaasen. The hard-hitting wicket-keeper batter has clobbered 422 runs in his last 8 innings at an average of 71 and an incredible strike rate of 128.65. Klaasen is particularly dangerous against spin bowlers and will target Australia’s spinners in the middle overs.

South Africa would be pleased to see Kagiso Rabada return to the bowling unit. Rabada has taken 19 wickets against Australia in ODIs at an average of 27.52 and will look to add to that tally.

Lungi Ngidi (11 wickets in the last 7 matches at 6.34), Anrich Nortje (8 wickets in the last 6 matches at 5.47), and Marco Jansen (8 wickets in the last 7 matches at 5.91) further strengthen this bowling attack. 

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell/ Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma

Australia Preview

Australia are coming into this series on the back of an impressive run in ODI cricket, beating England 3-0 at home in late 2022 and beating India 2-1 away earlier this year. They are, however, missing a few key players from their squad. Steve Smith is still rehabilitating from a wrist injury suffered during the Ashes, and Mitchell Starc is out with a groin ailment. Pat Cummins, the regular skipper, will also miss the ODIs owing to a fractured wrist, and Glen Maxwell has been ruled out due to an injured ankle.

That said, you can still not take this Australian team lightly. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh was in sensational form in the T20I series, with scores of 92* and 79* in the first two matches. The stand-in skipper would have gotten used to the conditions pretty well now and is our main batter to watch out for. Marsh has smashed 274 runs in his last 5 ODIs at an average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 123.

Travis Head, fresh from a spectacular 48-ball 91 in the third T20I, is looking better and better with every series he plays. He is likely to open the batting in this series and will give the team some rapid starts.

We are also backing David Warner (350 runs in his last 7 games at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 95.62) to have a great series. Warner’s experience on these wickets will be quite handy for the team.

On the bowling side, Josh Hazlewood (10 wickets in the last 6 matches at 3.54) should do well on this surface with his tight lines and lengths. Also watch out for leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who has 22 wickets in his last 10 matches at 4.68. 

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

David Warner, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh (c), Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, David Warner, Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Bloemfontein's Mangaung Oval is generally ideal for batting, with some bounce and movement for the bowlers in the initial overs. As the game progresses, however, batting becomes easier. The ground offers a quick outfield, so once the batters clear the infield, the ball will get full reward for their shots. Spinners will have their say in the middle overs.

The weather in Bloemfontein will be beautiful, with plenty of sunshine.

RSA vs AUS Pitch Report

The average score batting first in ODIs at Mangaung Oval is 247. The highest total posted at the venue is England’s 399-9 against South Africa in 2016. The average runs per over here is 5.10. The team batting first would look to set a target of around 280–300 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

The teams batting first have won 14 of the 32 matches played at the venue, while the teams chasing have won 16. That means, teams prefer to chase here on this venue.