South Africa will be up against Australia in the second semifinal of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday. Both of these two teams won seven matches apiece in the league stage but now they will aim to bring their absolute best in the knockout stage, where there is no tomorrow if they lose.
South Africa’s batting has clicked as a unit whereas Australia’s batters have also done a decent job. However, as we have seen in big matches the team that bowls better always holds the edge. 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 South Africa: W L W W W
South Africa have played at their best whenever they have batted first but they have looked tentative while chasing down the score. In a high-pressure game, the Proteas will want to put runs on the board and their in-form batting order will look to deliver.
Current form for Australia: W W W W W
Australia lost their opening two matches against India and South Africa however they have once again proved their mettle, winning their last seven matches on the bounce. Australia are always a dangerous team in major ICC events and they will be chasing their sixth ODI World Cup crown.
Head to Head: Matches: 109, Won by Australia: 50, Won by South Africa: 55, NR: 1, Tied: 3.
South Africa is one of the few teams that have a positive H2H against Australia.
Players to look out for: Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will be the key players for Australia.
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.
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.
