In a high-voltage clash set to ignite the cricketing world, Australia and South Africa lock horns in the 10th match of the ODI World Cup 2023.
The battleground for this epic encounter is the hallowed Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Both teams are no strangers to the pressure cooker atmosphere of the World Cup, and this marks their second outing in the tournament.
Australia’s campaign began with a shaky start against India. Choosing to bat after winning the toss, they stumbled to a paltry 199 runs, thanks to some balanced Indian bowling. Only the reliable duo of David Warner and Steve Smith managed to cross the 40-run mark.
Josh Hazlewood emerged as the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for a mere 38 runs in his nine-over spell. Mitchell Starc, too, made a notable contribution, securing one wicket from his eight overs. However, their efforts fell short, and India emerged victorious with six wickets to spare.
On the other hand, South Africa scripted an unforgettable opening chapter to their World Cup journey. They blazed their way to a colossal total of 428 runs against Sri Lanka, with centuries from Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram.
It was a record-breaking performance, marking the highest team total in the history of ODI World Cups. Sri Lanka, to their credit, put up a respectable fight but could only muster 326 runs, succumbing to a 102-run loss.
The stage is now set for Australia and South Africa to renew their rivalry in the World Cup arena. These two cricketing giants have crossed swords in six ODI World Cup encounters, with Australia emerging victorious in three and South Africa clinching two, while one contest concluded in a nail-biting tie.
The historical backdrop adds an extra layer of intrigue to this contest, but the 2023 edition has seen these teams cross paths more frequently than ever.
The upcoming encounter in Lucknow promises to be a thrilling battle, where the fortunes of these cricketing powerhouses will be decided on an unfamiliar surface.
Both teams are well aware of the controversies surrounding the re-laid pitch, and its behavior during this year’s IPL adds another layer of unpredictability to the mix.
The stakes are high, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eager to witness the next chapter in the storied Australia-South Africa rivalry.
AUS vs SA Probable XI
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
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi / Gerald Coetzee
