South Africa vs Australia, 2020, 3rd T20I: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The final match of the three-match T20 International series between South Africa and Australia will be played on 26 February at Newlands in Cape Town.

The match starts at 06:00 PM local time (04:00 PM GMT) (09:30 PM IST). This match will be live on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD. Live Streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

South Africa have played many close games of late which served a lot of thrill and excitement. This series, like South Africa’s previous series against England, will also require a series-decider in the last match of the series. Australia needed 23 runs off 27 balls with seven wickets in their hand. however, they choked as the hosts triggered a middle-order collapse and eventually won by 12 runs.

The Proteas, like every other team, are finding the best combination for the T20 World Cup 2020. There are few loopholes in their team – fragile middle-order and issues in the bowling unit. The South African team management is working on to fix the concerned issues. Their middle-order might be tested again if Quinton de Kock fails to fire. Also, it will be interesting to see if their bowling attack could replicate their previous performance.

The visitors nearly clinched the series at Port Elizabeth in Johannesburg, however, their middle-order had different plans. Apart from the top-three, Australia do have issues in their batting unit. And, Glenn Maxwell being unavailable for this T20 leg due to injury has not helped Australia’s case. Mitchell Starc, the best Australian T20 bowler, and Adam Zampa, the premiere Aussie spinner, didn’t have a great game in Johannesburg; and will look to bounce back.

Weather Condition/Report

The temperature at the match venue during the game time will range between 18℃ to 21℃. Except for the first two hours of the game time, there are 10% chances of precipitation throughout the night in Newlands.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The pitch used for international matches at Newlands in Cape Town is generally on the slower side. The ground doesn’t produce high scoring games. In the last 14 team innings (since 2015), the scoring run rate has been more than nine in just three innings.

Average first innings score: 167 ( in T20Is since 2017)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 1, Lost – 2, Tied – 1 (in T20Is since 2017)

Injury and Availability News

(Will be updated when there is any)

Probable Playing XIs

South Africa:

Quinton de Kock (C & WK), Reeza Hendricks/Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Petrus van Biljon, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorious, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn/Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Bench – Reeza Hendricks/Temba Bavuma, Henrich Klassen, Bjorn Fortuin, Dale Steyn/Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Petrus van Biljon

Australia

David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson

Bench: D’Arcy Short, Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott

Top Picks:

South Africa-

Quinton de Kock is batting on a different level these days. The southpaw is the soul of the batting unit of South Africa. The southpaw is using the powerplay to the fullest and scoring at a quicker rate. Since the South Africa tour of India in 2019, De Kock has failed just once in this format. He is the most selected player in Dream11 for this and is a must-pick.

Faf du Plessis is going through a rough patch, however, a breakthrough knock might be just around the corner. The former South African skipper has an exquisite record against Australia in all the formats. Lungi Ngidi is picking up wickets consistently despite being very expensive. He is the most selected bowler and is a value pick at 8.5 credits.

Tabraiz Shamsi bowled a yet another economical spell, however without picking a wicket. Since the deck is expected to assist spinners, the chinaman bowler might have a good time in Cape Town.

Australia-

Steve Smith scored runs in both games and is the leading run-scorer in the series so far. The right-handed batsman is a trustworthy option to give points in Dream11 because of his consistency. At the game venue, Smith averages 52 with a strike rate of over 148 in two innings.

David Warner is the best Australian batsman in the shortest format and was among runs in the second match. The southpaw is a very popular pick in this game and it would be risky to leave him from your fantasy side. Aaron Finch is one of the best openers in international T20 cricket and is in pretty good form. The skipper of the side will try to step up in the must-win game.

Ashton Agar bagged a five wicket-haul in the first match and bowl a wicketless economical spell in the second game. The pitch will possibly support spinners, thus, Agar – the most selected all-rounder in this game – might have a good outing. And, the same case might happen with Zampa. Mitchell Starc who was below-par in the last match will be raring to do well this time. With his selection percentage of about 32% (as of now), the left-arm pacer could be the differential pick.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Quinton de Kock, David Warner, Aaron Finch

Vice-Captain – Steve Smith, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Quinton de Kock (VC) and Alex Carey

Batsmen – Steve Smith, David Warner (C), Aaron Finch, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen

All-Rounders- Ashton Agar

Bowlers- Adam Zampa, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Quinton de Kock

Batsmen – Steve Smith (C), Faf du Plessis (VC), David Warner and Rassie van der Dussen

All-Rounders- Dwaine Pretorius and Mitchell Marsh

Bowlers- Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi

Expert Advice:

In Mzansi Super League 2019, the overall scoring run rate was less than eight at Newlands in Cape Town. The team’s inning scores were less than 170 in five out of eight innings in the MSL 2019 at the match venue. The pitch is expected to be on the slower side as mentioned in the pitch report. Thus, we might not witness a high-scoring clash. Therefore, we advise not to make a batsmen heavy team.

We also recommend readers to pick at least one spinner from the team bowling first. It is also suggested to select batsmen who are good players of spin bowling.

Probable Winners

At Newlands in Cape Town, Australia have won four out of five T20Is whereas the Proteas have lost six out of 11 T20Is. Australia are a comparatively stronger side than South Africa by a fair margin and are expected to win the match as well as series.

Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.