South Africa Lack Intent Against Australia
South Africa are under immense pressure after 5 consecutive losses at the hands of Australia who have been no less than exceptional in all departments with their new looking team. Mitchell Marsh is yet to lose a match as a captain and South Africa are yet to win a match in this series.
Both teams will meet at Potchefstroom for the third ODI match of the series. A loss for the home side will mean a series lost, concerning the World Cup that is not far away, that will be looked upon as a huge setback because as a team, the motive is found a winning momentum.
Momentum is generated by intent and South Africa has clearly lacked intent against Australia. They have failed to group themselves together in crucial times, especially bowling unit has looked defeated and devestated. The pacers couldn’t find any rhythm, the began without any solid plan and intent to be aggresive.
Heinrich Klaasen: “We’re Trying Too Hard”
Heinrich Klaasen said that it was lack of intent and now looking upto the basics that has caused South Africa this much trouble and defeat. He also emphasized that the team might be trying too hard, however, this is building towards betterment and South Africa will definitely pull things off at Potchefstroom, a ground where the home side has enjoyed a good success in terms of ODI matches.
South Africa is a reselient team and it would be no wonder if they pull things back and make it three in three in last matches. However, it won’t be easy for them. Australia, at the moment, is at its apex game and what really stands them out from the home side is their clarity of how they want to play the game.
Australia at Apex of Their Game, South Africa Need to Find Form
The way Australian openers ran after Anrich Nortje in second ODI made South African captain clueless about his decisions, suddenly he felt that he was short of bowling options. That is what the Australians are so good at doing, unlike other teams, they want to target the best bowler of the opposition.
There will no Anrich Nortje in the third ODI because of fitness issues, Gerald Coetzee might come to his place. As an unit, South Africa looks a bit scattered. Seeing David Miller not playing his natural game really gave a reflection of the pressure that South Africa have found themselves in. Klaasen and Bavuma have been the only positives in the series for the home side.
Fans have high hopes from South Africa. Ahead of the world cup, they surley want to kick in as a team and there is no better ground to get in form than Potchefstroom. Quinton de Kock, Rassie Van der Dussen and Aiden Markam a build blocks of South Africa batting order and they have find some real form, especially Markram who is having a miserable run with both bat and ball.
Bavuma’s 100 in Vain, South Africa Loses ODI to Australia
We haven’t seen a good sight of the consistentcy of Rassie Van der Dussen in this series so far. He’s kind of player who can make substantial contribution to the team’s total but there is no rhythm in his batting at this moment. Maybe, as South African fans are hopeful, he can find his way on Tuesday.
The batting may have proved to be inconsistent and un-South African in first two matches but these guys are capable of turning things upside down. Australia’s bowling attack doesn’t have the resistance but to test this, they must be put under pressure which South Africa has failed to do in this series.
Both sides have some quality players and Australia has dominated without their best power hitters firing so what might come if Mitch Marsh and Tim David get going, not good looking scenario for South Africa. But South Africa will be ready with a subtle plan for the third ODI, Australia has a situation where they don’t need to fix anything, they have got some fine momentum.
