It will be nervy day for South Africa when they will face Australia at Bloemfontein for the first ODI of the 5 match series. South Africa, under the captaincy of Aiden Markam, has suffered three T20I defeats in a row in the last week. This ODI series might bring out the better side of the home side because the experienced players, Rabada, De Kock, Miller, Klaasen, Nortje, are back in the squad.
South African bowlers had bad outings in all three previously played T20I matches, however, with likes of Rabada and Nortje back in the team for ODI series, a different outcome is expected from the bowling line-up. Lungi Ngidi, who played all three T20I matches, conceded over 13 runs per over.
In the last few months, South Africa did better when their bowlers performed collectively as a unit. They have variety in their bowling unit, guys who can bowl and different pace and use the conditions accordingly. Leaving out a single or double match winning bowling performances, their weakness has been not being able to stop the flow of runs.
This happened during England tour of South Africa, then later in T20I series against West Indies. The responsibility will be on shoulders of senior bowlers to match the standard and intensity they are known for, especially when this 5 match ODI series against Australia can decide with kind of mindset and momentum they will march to the World Cup 2023 which will take place in India.
Senior players like Aiden Markam, Rassie Van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma haven’t been at their best, it didn’t appear that they struggling because out of form but rather they haven’t found their grooves yet. Especially Markram and Van der Dussen, both played out of their nature in T20I series.
The ODI series will be a great opportunity for these batters to play more freely and their own way because there will be Miler, De Kock and Klaasen who are equally experienced inform batters of South Africa. It is not secret that South Africa wants to play aggresive and intense cricket, this is a massive part of their plan for the World Cup.
Definitely, with aggresive approch, the South African team has got positive results more often than not. Because the guys who played these matches, have been playing together for a while now, gone through many situational experience and the thing that really sets them as frontrunners of the team is each individual of the pack has duly understand his role.
So South Africa will take on the game against Australia with a strengthened side. The pressure will be there, much more shared than before among different players, much like make it or break it kind of a situation.
The first ODI match between South Africa and Australia will be played on Thursday afternoon at Bloemfontein.
