South Africa vs Australia, RSA vs AUS, Today Match Prediction 09 September 2023

RSA vs AUS Match Prediction & Analysis

Following their 3-0 triumph in the T20I series against South Africa, Australia began the 50-over series with a nail-biting three-wicket victory in Bloemfontein against the home side on Thursday. Australia found an unexpected hero in Marnus Labuschagne, who, in his role as a concussion substitute, batted brilliantly to score an unbeaten 80 runs from 93 deliveries and take his side home. South Africa have a lot to answer, as apart from the heroic effort from captain Temba Bavuma, all the other batters failed. The two teams will return to Bloemfontein for the second ODI on Saturday.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

RSA

L

RSA

222/10 in 49.0 4.53

RSA vs AUS

Australia won by 3 wkts 07 Sep 2023

AUS

225/7 in 40.2 5.58

AUS

W

RSA

222/10 in 49.0 4.53

RSA vs AUS

Australia won by 3 wkts 07 Sep 2023

AUS

225/7 in 40.2 5.58

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

South Africa were expected to put up a stronger performance in the ODI series after losing the T20Is. However, they have started on the wrong foot. Captain Temba Bavuma carried the bat to score a wonderful knock of 114* off 142 balls. Unfortunately, barring Marco Jansen (32 off 40 balls), with whom he shared a 57-run stand for the sixth wicket, Bavuma didn’t get much from the other end. Eventually, South Africa were bowled out for a sub-par 222.

In pursuit of a modest yet challenging target on a difficult pitch, Australia found themselves in a precarious position with seven wickets down and approximately 100 runs still required. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi dismantled the top-order batters with their fiery opening spells. However, as the ball got old, the wicket got easier to bat on, and Ashton Agar and Marnus Labuschagne took the team home. 

It goes without saying that this pace trio will make life difficult for Australia in the next game as well, particularly when the ball is new.

Bavuma has been consistent for a while now, and we expect another solid performance from him in the next ODI. Aiden Markram (459 runs from the last 9 matches at an average of 57.38 and a strike rate of 112) should do well in this match too. He failed in the first ODI, but Markram is technically adept enough to survive on these pitches.

South Africa will also expect some handy runs down the order from Marco Jansen, who has proven himself to be more than capable with the bat. 

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

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

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Tabraiz Shamsi, Temba Bavuma, Andile Phehlukwayo

Australia Preview

Marnus Labuschagne's response to being omitted from Australia's World Cup squad and the initial playing eleven in the first ODI at Bloemfontein was nothing short of spectacular. Acting as a concussion substitute for the injured Cameron Green, who had been struck by a Kagiso Rabada bouncer during the sixth over, Labuschagne stepped onto the field with Australia in a precarious position at 72 for 5, chasing a target of 223. However, Labuschagne, along with Ashton Agar, engineered an impressive turnaround, forging an unbroken 112-run partnership in 145 deliveries—a new record for the eighth wicket in Bloemfontein—and securing a convincing win.

Now it would be interesting to see if Australia select Labuschagne in the next ODI after this incredible performance. 

Travis Head looked good for his 33 off 28 balls before he was dismissed by Ngidi. Head has been the in-form batter for Australia and has collected 362 runs in his last 7 matches at an average of 60.33 and a strike rate of 115. So, it would be wise to back him for this match.

Skipper Mitchell Marsh (291 runs in the last 6 matches at an average of 58.2 and a strike rate of 122) will be looking to make up for his failure in the first ODI. The all-rounder has had a great summer and has been timing the ball really well. 

Australia’s bowling was on point in the first ODI, with Josh Hazlewood as the standout performer, achieving figures of 3-41. Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, and Adam Zampa all did a fine containing job. On this pitch, the South African batters would again need to be wary of Hazlewood and Abbott.

 

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

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

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Nathan Ellis, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, David Warner, Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Timothy David

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Bloemfontein's Mangaung Oval offers some bounce and movement for the bowlers in the initial overs. So, batters would have to be careful while negotiating the first 15 overs, as both teams have quality fast bowlers in their ranks. As the game progresses, batting becomes easier, and if a batter has spent some time on the wicket, he can go on to make a big one.

The weather in Bloemfontein will be sunny, clear, and very hot. 

RSA vs AUS Pitch Report

The average score batting first at Mangaung Oval is 246. This isn’t a high-scoring venue, as was evident from the last match, so the team batting first should look to set a target of around 270-odd runs. The average runs per over at this venue is 5.10.

Toss: To Bowl

17 of the 33 games played at Mangaung Oval have been won by the team batting second, including the previous game of this series. The team winning the toss in the second ODI is likely to field first too.