The Super-12 matches are starting from today in the T20 World Cup with Australia vs South Africa. In a real sense, the T20 World Cup is starting today. Earlier, qualifying round and warm-up matches were being played.
Australia will face South Africa in the first match of Group 1. This match will be played in Abu Dhabi from 3:30 pm. Both the teams have not won a single World Cup title so far and will start their campaign to win this trophy for the first time.
Apart from these two teams in Group-1, there are England, West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The top two out of the six teams will qualify for the semi-finals. Group 1 is now also called the group of death because anyone can qualify as all are equally strong.
Therefore, the match is very important for both Australia and South Africa. By winning this first match, both the teams would like to make a great start. Read- When Great Rahul Dravid Played For Scotland National Team in 2003
Australian team struggling with poor form
Australia’s team is currently struggling with poor form. Before their World Cup campaign, they have been defeated by Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, India and England in bilateral series. During this period, the Australian team has lost 13 matches and won only five matches.
After coming into the tournament from poor form, the Kangaroo team defeated New Zealand in the first warm-up match. However, in the second match, he had to face defeat against the Indian team. In such a situation, he will have to show a great game against a strong team like South Africa.
Warner’s form a matter of concern
The biggest concern for the team is the poor form of explosive batsman David Warner. Warner, who batted very poorly in the second phase of the IPL, was rested by the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise.
His poor form continued in the practise matches before the World Cup. His scores in two innings were 0 and 1 run. If the Australian team has to win the World Cup, then it is very important for Warner to come in the form.
Maxwell and Steve Smith are in good nick
Apart from this, the batting will be responsible for captain Aaron Finch, Maxwell, Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis. Maxwell is running in excellent form at the moment. In bowling, the Australian team can go with two spinners.
Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa will be responsible for the spin. At the same time, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be responsible for the fast bowling.
South African team in excellent form
South Africa’s team is currently in excellent form and the team has reached here after defeating defending champions West Indies, Ireland and Sri Lanka in bilateral series.
South Africa also won both their warm-up matches. He defeated a strong team like Pakistan in the practice match. In such a situation, this match is going to be tough for Australia.
The experienced batsmen of the team, Russi van der Dussen and Aiden Markram are in excellent form. Dussen scored a century in the practice match against Pakistan. At the same time, Markram batted brilliantly here in the second phase of the IPL. Apart from this, the responsibility of batting will be on Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma.
South Africa’s bowling is superb. The team has two useful spinners in the form of Tabrez Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, which they would definitely like to use in the first match against Australia.
Apart from this, there are fast bowlers like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Enrique Nortje, who can destroy any batting order with their speed.
Australia vs South Africa statistics
The two teams met for the first time in 2006 and since then have faced each other 21 times in T20Is. Out of this, 13 matches were won by Australia. At the same time, the South African team won eight matches.
Probable Playing XI in Australia vs South Africa
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade, David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Russi van der Dussen, Reeza Hendrix, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Dwayne Pretorius, Enrique Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabrez Shamsi
Pitch and conditions in Australia vs South Africa
This match is to be held on the day. Both the teams will have to deal with the scorching sun and scorching heat. The maximum temperature will go up to 33 degrees Celsius.
Four qualifier matches in the World Cup have been held in Abu Dhabi. Of these, the team batting later won three. Talking about the overall record, the team batting first has won more matches.
Due to the match being held in the afternoon, the effect of heat will be there. The pitch won’t be of much help to the bowlers. The batting team can score a lot of runs on the pitch. The team batting first can score 170 runs.