Australia will take on South Africa in the 10th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on October 12th. This will be the 7th World Cup meeting between the two sides, with Australia holding a 3-2 head-to-head advantage.
However, South Africa won their most recent World Cup clash in 2019 against Australia by 10 runs. Both teams suffered contrasting fortunes in their opening matches – Australia lost to India while South Africa smashed Sri Lanka. The Proteas will be buzzing after their record-breaking display but Australia has the quality to bounce back strongly. This showdown between two pre-tournament favorites promises to be a cracking contest.
Bet on at odds 1.72 at 1xBet>>
Bet on at odds 2.20 at Parimatch>>
Overview
Defending champions Australia struggled against India’s spinners, crumbling to 199 all out in their first match. None of their star-studded batting order managed a fifty. Their vaunted pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood also went wicketless.
Australia will need to adjust their attacking approach to succeed on spin-friendly pitches. The returns of David Warner and Mitchell Starc from injury will bolster both batting and bowling. But Australia’s loss has exposed vulnerabilities that South Africa’s world-class attack will target.
The Aussies possess the experience and class to quickly rectify errors. But they must find solutions to unfamiliar conditions to get their title defense back on track against the rampant Proteas.
Overview
South Africa pulverized Sri Lanka’s bowlers in their first match, plundering a world record 428/5 highlighted by centuries from De Kock, Van der Dussen and Markram. Their bowling unit then bundled Sri Lanka out for 126 to complete an emphatic 102-run win.
The Proteas batsmen took a particular liking to Sri Lanka’s spin trio, hammering them for 192 runs. South Africa’s own spinners in Maharaj and Shamsi give them balance. Rabada and Nortje lead a lethal pace attack that will relish bowling in Lucknow’s helpful conditions.
South Africa tick all the boxes, with batting firepower, bowling variety and fieldsmen like De Kock and Markram. If they can sustain this performance level, the Proteas appear serious contenders for their maiden World Cup crown.
vs. Starting XI
Expected Starting XI for Australia:
- David Warner,
- Mitchell Marsh,
- Steven Smith,
- Marnus Labuschagne,
- Glenn Maxwell,
- Alex Carey (wk),
- Cameron Green,
- Pat Cummins (c),
- Mitchell Starc,
- Adam Zampa,
- Josh Hazlewood
Expected Starting XI for South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- Aiden Markram
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Andile Phehlukwayo
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Keshav Maharaj
The composition of the starting XI may vary depending on the pitch conditions and team strategy.
Both teams have strong top six batting lineups and pace-spin balance in bowling. The team winning the toss may bowl first to exploit early assistance in bowling friendly conditions.
See the confirmed starting lineups below an hour before the match starts.
vs. Head-to-Head
Overall in ODIs, Australia edges the Proteas 92-64. However, South Africa has won 10 of their last 18 completed ODIs against Australia. They also lead the head-to-head in matches played in Asia (6-5).
South Africa’s potent pace attack led by Rabada, Nortje and Parnell stacks up well against Australia’s batting. But Australia also possesses a world-class bowling unit spearheaded by the likes of Cummins, Starc and Zampa.
Both teams are evenly matched on paper. Australia’s greater big-match experience makes them marginal favorites, but South Africa showed in their first game that they have the skills to challenge the Aussies.
Weather & Pitch Report
The Lucknow stadium provides spin-friendly conditions like many other Indian venues. The weather will be hot and humid with temperatures around 34 degrees.
The pitch tends to be two-paced and sluggish early on before quickening up later. Batting is tricky against the new ball as it grips and turns. Anything over 240-250 could be a good score.
Dew may form in the evening, making strokeplay easier in the second innings. Shorter square boundaries also encourage aggressive batting. The key will be preserving wickets and accelerating later once set.
Spinners like Zampa, Maxwell, Shamsi and Maharaj should prove hard to get away and pick up wickets. Fast bowlers need to mix up their lengths to succeed.
Considering Lucknow’s usual characteristics, a lower-scoring game appears likely. The toss-winning captain may opt to chase by bowling first and restricting the opposition.
Overall, the venue should provide help to both pace and spin bowlers. But smart batting and late order hitting can still yield sizable totals on this surface.
Australia vs. South Africa Prediction
This is a tough match to call with both Australia and South Africa possessing well-balanced XIs full of match-winners. But South Africa’s record-breaking batting display against Sri Lanka makes them slight favorites.
The Proteas bat very deep with the likes of Miller and Parnell capable of providing explosive cameos. Their bowling also has the variety to excel on this surface, especially the world-class pace duo of Rabada and Nortje.
Australia were outplayed in their last game and could take time to adjust. The odds marginally favor South Africa considering home conditions and the confidence gained from their last win.
But Australia can never be written off in major tournaments. Expect a close contest with South Africa sneaking a win.
Prediction: South Africa to edge out Australia by 4-5 wickets.
Australia vs. South Africa Betting Tip
Back Aiden Markram to score over 60 runs after his blazing century in the last match. Quinton de Kock is also worth betting on as top match scorer given his excellent ODI record.
Kagiso Rabada has a superb record against Australia. Bet on him taking 2+ wickets.
Steve Smith could be a good pick for top Australian scorer after his decent start against India.
Consider David Warner for a bet if he returns from injury, with odds of him being top scorer likely to be attractive. Given bowling friendly conditions, bet on under 300 total runs being scored. With dew likely, the team batting second should fancy their chances. Consider betting on South Africa to successfully chase if they field first.
Overall, this match could go either way. But we think South Africa have the edge despite the odds narrowly favour Australia.
Bet on South Africa to win at Parimatch at odds 2.20>>
If you want to check out our other Cricket World Cup match predictions, you can find them on our site. In the meantime, you can check out how to bet on the Cricket World Cup.
