Australia and South Africa will contest the 10th match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India. The Aussies and Proteas currently occupy third and fourth position, respectively, in the International Cricket Council’s ranking for ODI teams.
The Australians will go into this match in the wake of recent defeat to India. The South Africans recently beat Sri Lanka. Let’s see what the betting markets and cricket odds have in store for this World Cup clash in Lucknow.
Head-to-head record
South Africa have three wins to Australia’s two in their last five ODI meetings. All of these results came during last month’s series in South Africa that preceded the World Cup. Overall, the Proteas have beaten the Aussies 54 times in ODI cricket – and Australia have won on 50 occasions. In Cricket World Cups, the score line is currently three-two to the Australians.
Australia insight
Australia were limited to 199 all out in Chennai recently – and India won the match with more than eight overs to spare. Former captains David Warner and Steven Smith reached the 40s, but were unable to convert to big knocks, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey collected ducks.
Where Australia lacked with the bat, they showed plenty of promise with the ball by taking three Indian wickets inside two overs before half-centurions Virat Kohli and KL Rahul took over. The Aussies need more from spinners Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa, who did not take wickets and were not economical.
Marsh’s performance against South Africa, if he is retained in the XI, will be in the spotlight. Against India, he got out for a duck, did not bowl and was a liability in the field. Australia are waiting on the match fitness of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who could be an alternative selection to Marsh.
The Aussies did not have Maxwell, Smith or seamer Mitchell Starc during September 2023’s ODI series defeat to South Africa. This time, against the same opposition, they are not a unit weakened by injury absences. Captain Pat Cummins said Australia have played more ODI cricket in India than at home over the past several years. That’s another reason they need to start succeeding in sub-continental conditions – and soon.
South Africa insight
South Africa dominated with the bat against Sri Lanka, producing a total of 428 for five on the back of centurions Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock. Markram has plenty of momentum going into this match after striking the fastest century – from 49 balls – in the history of the Cricket World Cup.
The Proteas would do well to exploit Australia’s evident weaknesses against spin witnessed against India. Captain Temba Bavuma suggested South Africa might play an additional slow bowler here, putting wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi back in the frame. That said, Markram can bowl some decent part-time spin in partnership with specialist Keshav Maharaj.
The depth of South Africa’s spin resources have become more of a concern since fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Migala were ruled out of the tournament due to injury. They were replaced in the squad by seamers, but focus has since turned to the spinners’ individual and collective ability to succeed in conducive conditions.
It is well documented that the Proteas are perennial underachievers at major ICC tournaments. They have started this one well with a big win over Sri Lanka. Outplaying Australia can add to expectation. But this is a long tournament, with plenty of staunch opposition to follow.
Toss prediction
Six of the first eight matches of this year’s Cricket World Cup saw the toss-winning captain choose to bowl first. Australia are one of the two teams who opted to bat first. That decision culminated in defeat.
It’s highly probable the captain to win the toss will decide to bat second here. Teams, in some circumstances, generally look past the conditions. They want to know their target first and chase it later, regardless.
Conditions
This will be the first of five Cricket World Cup matches at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow this year. The pitch should be fresh and full of runs.
The ground, which is also known as the Ekana International Cricket Stadium, is relatively new to ODI cricket. It debuted in 2019 – and has produced two wins for the team batting first and two for the team batting second.
The average ODI total here is 229, though the West Indies have gone as high as 277 and Afghanistan as low as 120. A first-innings score of around 250 could be competitive.
This is not necessarily a high-scoring venue. Conditions could be sluggish and fielding at least two spinners looks a good option. Weather-wise, no rain is predicted in Lucknow on matchday. Relatively extreme heat for the visiting sides is likely again.
Prediction
South Africa have the momentum Australia don’t. The Proteas triumphed over Sri Lanka comfortably. Australia were largely disappointing against India.
The Proteas, remember, overcame a two-nil series deficit to beat the Aussies three-two in their ODI series a few weeks before this World Cup.
South Africa are still priced as 2.20 underdogs to win this match, though. They could bring good value. Australia are offered as 1.70 favourites.
Top tips
Quinton de Kock to be top South Africa batter – 3.25
De Kock is averaging over 40 in ODI cricket in 2023. He struck a century in the first match of this year’s World Cup. He played for Lucknow in the Indian Premier League – and is familiar with the conditions at this ground.
Pat Cummins to be top Australia bowler – 3.50
Cummins, like de Kock, has plenty of experience of Indian conditions. As the captain, he can lead the bowling attack in the way he wants them to succeed in these conditions. Almost 18 percent of Cummins’ 126 ODI wickets have been taken in India.
Any player to score a century in the first innings – 2.10
The first eight matches of the 2023 Cricket World Cup yielded 10 centurions. Three of them will likely be involved in this match. This is a fresh pitch. Some parts of the ground have relatively short boundaries.