Australia will face South Africa in their 2nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to be played at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow on 12th October. It promises to be an exciting encounter as the 5 time World Champion Australia lost their first match against India as their batters struggled with Steve Smith as the top scorer. Despite reducing India to 2 for 3, they could pick only 1 wicket and lost the match by six wickets.
On the other hand, South Africa will look to continue their winning momentum as they thrashed Sri Lanka by 102 runs with centuries by Markram, de Kock, and Van der Dussen. They would be high on confidence as they registered a comeback series win over Australia. Both teams would be looking to produce good cricket as Australia would be looking to garner points while South Africa show their class.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Watch Out For
- Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock showed his class with an attacking mindset putting pressure on the Lankan bowling attack. He kept the momentum going for South Africa and made sure the Proteas dominated against an inexperienced Lankan bowling attack.
He will be looking to showcase his skills against the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. De Kock has a great record in One-day internationals against Australia with 909 runs from 28 matches (28 innings) including 6 centuries and 3 fifties including the best score of 178.
His role is to provide an aggressive start in the first 10 overs and make sure that South Africa can register victory over the Australian team.
- David Warner
The explosive left-handed batter David Warner had a decent outing in the first match against India with a well-compliant 41 on a tough batting pitch at Chennai. He played spinners well and looked in decent touch against the pacers after a patchy start.
He played attacking shots against the pacers and kept the scoreboard ticking along with Steve Smith. His record against South Africa in ODIs has been excellent with 1007 runs from 23 matches (23 innings) including 4 centuries and 4 half-centuries.
Warner would be hoping to replicate the form that he displayed during the One-day international series against South Africa. His role will be key to providing a positive start along with Mitchell Marsh and putting pressure in the first 10 overs.
- Marnus Labuschagne
The stylish right-handed batter Marnus Labuschagne had a disappointing outing in the first game against India. He struggled against Indian spinners and was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja.
Labuschagne had a brilliant outing in the series against South Africa finishing as the leading runs scorer in the ODI series. He produced some magical innings and laid the foundation for a win. He would be hoping to stay calm if early wickets fall and make sure that Australia posts a decent total or chase down the target. Marnus registered his best score of 124 against South Africa.
- Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram had a sensational outing in the first game against Sri Lanka. He came at the crease after the fall of de Kock’s wicket. Markram showed intent right from the word go and put enough pressure on Lankan bowling.
He scored the fastest century in World Cup history with 49 deliveries and laid a strong foundation for a massive total. It was an excellent display hitting some big shots and keeping the momentum going.
Markram has performed well in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. He has featured in 10 innings and the highest score of 102 not out. Markram would be looking to showcase his batting skills and help South Africa register their 2nd victory.
- Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc had a brilliant opening spell in the first match against India. He dismissed Ishan Kishan off the very first delivery. It was a superb bowling effort by Starc not allowing the Indian batters to score runs easily.
Starc has a decent record against South Africa in ODIs with 19 wickets from 14 matches at an economy of 5.58 runs per over and best figures of 4 for 32. It would be important to provide early breakthroughs and make sure that Australia does not allow South Africa to post a big total or chase down the target.
If the conditions help the pacers, Starc would become lethal and can create damage in the first 10 overs.
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