SA vs AUS 1st T20I Live Score: Another riveting action in World Cricket will unfold when South Africa takes on Australia in a three-match T20I series beginning on August 30 in South Africa. However With ODI World Cup 2023 in the picture, the key players of both the teams will miss the series as a move to manage their workload. Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh while South Africa will be led by Aiden Markram.
SA vs AUS 1st T20I: Teams Preview
South Africa Preview
The Proteas march into this clash to prove themselves. Their recent T20I track record hasn’t been stellar, with just one win out of their last five matches this year. A home series defeat against the West Indies hit hard, and the memories of their untimely exit from the T20 World Cup still bother them. But now, they have a golden opportunity to rewrite the script and regain their stature.
Under the leadership of Aiden Markram Africa will hope of rising back to glory. With 229 runs in his last ten matches, an average of 36.50, and a strike rate of 150, Markram is the glue that could hold the Proteas’ innings together. And let’s not forget Reeza Hendricks, an aggressive opener who sizzled against the West Indies, smashing 172 runs in just three matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 204.76. He will aim to do the same against Australia.
The team will hand debut to Dewald Brevis who became the highest individual run-scorer in T20 with a mighty 162 runs. In the bowling department, the onus of scoring falls on Lungi Ngidi. With an impressive 28 wickets in 15 home T20Is, Ngidi’s fiery pace could be a game-changer. He will get the valuable support of Shamsi who is also Proteas leading wicket-taker with 74 scalps in his kitty. His spin will surely trouble the visitors to the fullest.
Australia Preview
Things are not well for Australia with their key players missing due to injuries. Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and the dynamic Glenn Maxwell are notable absentees from Australia’s T20I squad.
However, the Aussies have somehow built up a strong squad by adding some match-winners to the lineup. His recent record boasts 190 runs in 8 innings, averaging 23.75, with a strike rate of 135.71, he will be expected to lead the team to the forefront with both bat & ball. In the middle order, Marcus Stoinis will be a force to reckon with. Known for his ability to change the game single-handedly, Stoinis has amassed 191 runs in his last 7 innings, averaging an impressive 38.20, with a strike rate of 173.63.
Deathovers will be taken care of by Tim David who is known as the master of finishing innings. Scoring the most T20 runs in overs 16 to 20 this year (437 runs at a stunning strike rate of 189.17), David is Australia’s secret weapon when it comes to closing games.
In the bowling order, Adam Zampa will be their biggest bet with 82 T20I wickets in his kitty. The uncapped duo of Matthew Short and Spencer Johnson might find their moment in the sun as they earn their first international caps.
SA vs AUS 1st T20I Match Details:
Match: South Africa vs Australia, 1st T20I Match
Venue: Kingsmead Stadium Cricket Ground, Durban
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 29, 09:30 PM IST
Live Streaming Details: FanCode
SA vs AUS 1st T20I: Predicted Playing XIs
South Africa
Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs (WK), Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Australia
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (WK), Tim David, Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson/Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
Pitch & Weather Report
The pitch is favorable for seam bowlers as it offers sharp bounce movement to them. Batters will need to play the game with a cautious approach. The conditions will be rainy making the fixture more unpredictable.
In the T20Is played at Durban, the team batting first has triumphed in eight out of fifteen matches. The pitch’s temperament tends to shift as the game progresses, making the toss-winning team more likely to choose to bat first.
SA vs AUS 1st T20I: Winning Prediction
In 22 T20Is played between South Africa & Australia, it was Aussies who emerged dominant with 14 wins in their kitty. In this crucial fixture, Australia’s depth in batting order provides them an upper hand. The pitch might assist Proteas pacers but Australia’s firepower will guide them toward a win.
We Predict Australia to win this fixture.
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