Game 10 of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup is set to be another cracker, with the struggling Australia preparing to take on a red-hot South Africa on Thursday.
The Proteas wowed the cricketing world by tallying 5/428 in their opening fixture against Sri Lanka, but will they be able to repeat the dose against a wounded Australian outfit?
Check out our full preview of the match below, complete with betting tips and player props!
ICC Cricket World Cup Betting Tips
Australia vs South Africa
Lucknow, Thursday 12th October, 7:30pm (AEDT)
Australia
It’s a bit early to push the panic button, but Australia clearly have some issues after their CWC opener against India.
The travelling side was bowled out for just 199 against the tournament hosts, losing 5/30 in the middle as spin yet again proved their undoing.
Despite a steady start from David Warner (41 off 52) and Steve Smith (46 off 71), the likes of Maxwell (15), Carey (0) and Green (8) yet again demonstrated Australia’s middle order woes. The form of the latter two players is particularly concerning, with Carey scoring 15 or more in just one of his last eight ODIs. Considering the performances of opposition middle order batters in this tournament so far, this is an area that could really haunt Australia as the tournament progresses.
Furthermore, a lack of depth in the spin bowling department has also become apparent. With Ashton Agar out injured, Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in the squad, with Glenn Maxwell serving as the makeshift second spinner. Neither managed to take a wicket on a turning deck in Chennai, so the selectors may be forced to consider rushing Nathan Lyon into the squad, especially if the pitches deteriorate throughout the tournament.
While Australia will likely stick to a similar XI against South Africa, Marcus Stoinis may be fit to return, putting the spots of Green and Cummins in jeopardy.
Australia Predicted XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
South Africa
South Africa kicked off their 2023 World Cup campaign in the best possible fashion, destroying Sri Lanka by 102 runs in a high scoring encounter.
Sent in by their opposition, the Proteas made the most of perfect batting conditions to accumulate 428 runs, with De Kock, van der Dussen and Markram all scoring centuries. The performance of Markram was particularly dazzling – the powerful hitter reached triple figures off just 49 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and three sixes on his way to 106.
Of the specialist batsmen, only Temba Bavuma missed out, the opener dismissed for 8 before his teammates cashed in.
The monster total turned out to be too big a challenge for Sri Lanka, with South Africa bowling them out for 326 in the 45th over. While the runs flowed freely, early wickets from Marco Jansen (2/92 off 10 overs) and a tight spell from Keshav Maharaj (2/62 off 10) ensured that the tournament underdogs would achieve the best possible start.
As a result of their first up victory, the Proteas will be full of confidence heading into this clash with Australia, especially considering they beat the same opposition 3-2 in an ODI series not so long ago.
I expect South Africa to carry the same XI into this encounter, although they may be tempted to add Tabraiz Shamsi to the mix given Australia’s struggles against spin.
South Africa Predicted XI: Quinton De Kock, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Betting Tips
This should be a great contest, played between two teams that match up quite similarly. While the form lines point to a victory for South Africa, I think Australia will produce a much-improved performance in this match. However, Australia’s batting really concerns me, so I’ll back the underdogs to topple the Aussies in a tight contest.
South Africa to Win
$2.10
Player Prop Quick Tips
Marnus Labuschagne Total Runs – Over 29.5 ($1.83 at Ladbrokes) – Labuschagne loves playing against South Africa, with both his ODI centuries coming against them. Although Australia’s no. 4 managed just 27 against India, he passed 40 three times in the ODI series against South Africa and I expect him to anchor the innings on Thursday.
