South Africa vs Australia, 2020, 3rd ODI: Preview - Proteas aim for series sweep to draw curtains on their troubled home summer

Throughout their home summer, South Africa were the ones hunted on four occasions out of five. After taking the series lead against England in all three formats, the hosts could win neither of those. Hence, post the convincing 74-run victory in Paarl against Australia that gave them the series lead, the Proteas felt the pressure of letting their opponents back in the series. And, finally, fashioned by a complete team effort in the second ODI, South Africa got the monkey off their back to record their first series win under coach Mark Boucher.

The victory in Bloemfontein was even more convincing than the one in Paarl. South Africa’s bowling, which looked in complete rhythm in the series opener was even better in the second. Spearheaded by a six-wicket haul from Lungi Ngidi, the Proteas didn’t let Australia off the hook since David Warner‘s exit. A target that could clock 400 after six overs and minimum 300 at the halfway stage was eventually kept to 272 by collecting all the wickets.

The likes of Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, and Andile Phehlukwayo supported Ngidi equally well from the other end to make the timely breakthroughs. Barring Shamsi, who wouldn’t make the trip to India, the rest would have gathered the confidence to deal with Virat Kohli‘s men.

But the home side’s batting line-up which suffered two shambolic meltdowns in the T20Is had learnt from their harsh lessons. In retrospect, Quinton de Kock’s second successive failure came as a blessing in disguise. Chasing a stiff score under lights in the second match in front of a world-class bowling attack required their captain to stand up. De Kock’s opening partner Janneman Malan lived precisely for this sort of a day to bounce back from his forgettable debut.

Malan’s approach, along with Jon-Jon Smuts at the loss of De Kock didn’t appear convincing; however, their stand of 92 kept them on course. The Australian bowlers challenged Malan’s resolve multiple times but hardly did he let them settle and tossed the pressure back on them step by step through his calm demeanour. And around the century of Malan, that slew the likes of Starc, Cummins, and Zampa as comfortably as one had ever seen; it was also Heinrich Klassen’s run-a-ball fifty and David Miller’s short burst that proved as crucial.

But South Africa’s job is far from finished. While a win in Potchefstroom is not necessary in the context of the series, a loss could peg them back slightly. One last victory would be the perfect way to pull curtains on their turbulent home summer. And the Proteas require all the self-belief instilled in them before facing India on their home turf next.

In contrast, barely anything as gone right for the Australian One-day side ever since their exit from the World Cup. Since their victory in Mumbai against India in January, they have gone on to lose four matches on the bounce heavily. In hindsight, the untimely injury to Glenn Maxwell has hurt them in more ways one can assume. The reinforcements in his absence haven’t been able to set the tempo well enough to dominate the opposition.

Australia must find a way to try out Matthew Wade and do away with either Marnus Labuschagne or Steve Smith in their line-up for the final ODI. Also, the likes of Starc and Cummins haven’t been able to complement each other in ODIs as well as they do in Tests. The same has been the case with Ashton Agar, unable to put the squeeze as well as Zampa has done thus far.

The visitors have to secure a consolation victory to avoid a series whitewash here. However, a win here does not necessarily spell the threat the Black Caps bring about when Australia face them next.

Team Combinations:

South Africa:

The home side should be confident enough to effect a series sweep with their current line-up. Their all eleven men have stepped up in different ways in both the games to clinch the ODI trophy after their horror show in the T20Is. Hence, the Proteas would most likely head to the Senwes Park with an unchanged eleven.

Probable XI: Quinton De Kock(c&wk), Janneman Malan, JJ Smuts, Kyle Verreyne, Heinrich Klassen, David Miller, Anidle Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia:

The men in yellow need to find a way to accommodate Matthew Wade, who last played an ODI in 2017. With Mitchell Starc slated to miss the third ODI to watch his wife Alyssa Healy compete in the Women’s T20 World Cup final in Australia, Josh Hazlewood remains the frontrunner to replace him.

Probable XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne/Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, D’arcy Short, Alex Carey(wk), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa

Focus will be on:

David Miller (South Africa)

While David Miller has been crucial in their victories in the two ODIs, he hasn’t looked at his absolute best. His innings of 64 and 37 in Paarl and Bloemfontein respectively didn’t exhibit the flair with which he always bats. With another crucial and a high-voltage series around the corner, we could see the southpaw turn back the clock to play an explosive knock in the third ODI.

David Warner (Australia)

Since his whirlwind hundred in Mumbai in January, David Warner has had scores of 15, 3, 25, and 35. The New South Wales opener, along with Aaron Finch has been giving the nature of starts he always does in this series; he hasn’t translated it to a significant score. The fragile middle-order is reason enough that Warner needs to stick around and bat responsibly for Australia to earn a consolation win in Potchefstroom.

Head to Head:

Played – 102 | South Africa won – 50 | Australia won – 48 | No result – 1 | Tied – 3

Stat Attack:

2011 – The last time Australia beat South Africa in an ODI on their home soil was back in October 2011.

The only ODI played between the two sides at the Senwes Park resulted in a tie in 2002.

Broadcast details:

TV – Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Live streaming – Sony LIV

Match Timings – 10:00 local, 13:30 IST