Australia’s tour of South Africa begins on 30th August 2023 with the T20I series starting first. Australia will face South Africa in 3 T20Is, all in Durban and then they will play the ODI Series. Following is the preview of the South Africa vs Australia Today Match (first T20I), 2023.
South Africa vs Australia Today Match Preview
Kingsmead Durban is a good track for the batters and with both lineups having plenty of firepower, this series is expected to be a high scoring one. Australia have played 3 T20Is previously at this venue, managing to win only one and losing 2. South Africa on the other hand, have played 8, won 5 and lost 3 at this venue.
South Africa will begin this game as the favorites, not only because of being at home, but because of the fact that they have a full strength squad. Australia won’t have the services of Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins. All of them have suffered major or minor injuries and are unavailable. Australia also have a new skipper, Mitchell Marsh. Although the Aussies still have got sufficient backup, it will be tough for them to adjust quikcly with a new unit under a new captain.
Nevertheless, both sides possess good quality batsmen and bowlers, and on South African tracks, we always see a good contest between bat and ball, so this first T20I can be a thrilling one.
South Africa vs Australia 1st T20I 2023 Playing XI
South Africa expected Playing XI:
South Africa would be stepping in with a strong batting unit with the likes of Skipper Aiden Markram, young Dewald Brevis and Rassie Van Der Dussen. It will be interesting to see whether the returning Temba Bavuma gets a place in the T20 XI or not, but he is likely to sit out.
Probable Lineup: Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj/Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin and Gerald Coetzee.
Australia expected Playing XI:
With many missing stars, we can see a new look Australian Playing XI under a new captain Mitchell Marsh. We will be seeing the Aussies playing a T20I match for the first time since T20 World Cup 2022 and many changes will be seen.
Probable Lineup: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Aaron Hardie/Ashton Turner, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa and Jason Behrendroff.
South Africa vs Australia Head to Head Record
Australia have been the dominant side in this rivalry in T20Is. Out of the 22 matches played between the two sides, Australia have won 14 while 8 have gone South Africa’s way.
Players to watch-out for
With the bat, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks will be the key for South Africa. Reeza has 172 runs in his last 3 T20I innings with an average of 57 while Markram has been consistent at the top as well. Dewald Brevis will also have everyone’s attention as he has some stellar records in T20 Leagues. In Rabada’s absence, Lungi Ngidi will be the one from whom, fan expectations will be sky-high. Ngidi has 11 wickets in his last 7 T20I matches, but his economy has been 10+, which can hurt the proteas.
For Australia, Marcus Stoinis has been a clutch player. With 191 runs in last 7 matches averaging 38 with 170+ strike rate, he comes in the later overs and smashes the ball with ease. His role will be mighty crucial in this series. Adam Zampa will be someone to watchout for with the ball. He has got great variety and he is economical everywhere.
