Australia vs South Africa is always a big clash in the World Cup and history is evidence of the same. These two potent teams will play their second match of the ongoing ODI showpiece at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday.
While South Africa won their opening clash against Sri Lanka by 102, Australia suffered a six-wicket loss against hosts India. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for Australia: L W L L L
Australia have managed a solitary win in their last seven matches and they will need to turn the tables against the Proteas. The Aussies will have to pick up their batting performance as they were skittled out for only 199 runs despite being 110-2 at one stage against India.
Current form for South Africa: W W W W L
South Africa has ticked the right boxes as a unit in the recent past. Their batting has been doing a fine job for them but they will want more from their bowling and fielding units. Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram were brilliant in the opening clash against Sri Lanka.
Head to Head: Matches: 108, Won by South Africa: 54, Won by Australia: 50, NR: 1, Tied: 3.
South Africa is one of the few sides who have a positive H2H against Australia.
Players to look out for: Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj will be important players for the Proteas.
David Warner, Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell will be the key players for Australia.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
