Cricket Prediction | SA vs AU | 1st ODI | Sep 7, 2023 – Can South Africa win the opening match in the ODI series?

SA vs AUS Match Analysis

After a T20I series win by 3-0 over South Africa, Australia now moves into the ODI series, hoping for a more balanced result. South Africa will host the ODI matches once again, with a five-game series.

The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein will host the first game of the series. Given their recent success in the format, we may anticipate a stronger performance from the Proteas in the 50-over series. 

Both teams will be perfecting their tactics and preparing their squads for the ODI World Cup, which will begin in about a month.

The squads will be like those that competed in the T20I series, with a few major changes and subtractions that we’ll discuss below.

SA vs AUS Team Preview & Squads

South Africa

South Africa will be hopeful about their chances in the ODIs after losing the T20I series against Australia. Although that was a new-look team, several of their players returned for the 50-over series. Aiden Markram, fresh off a good T20I series, will want to maintain his momentum in the ODIs. In his last nine outings, the elegant opener has scored 440 runs at a remarkable average of 55 and a strike rate of 110.

Temba Bavuma, the skipper, may have suffered in the T20I series, but he is an excellent ODI player.

 In 2023, the brave opener scored 420 runs in 6 ODI at an incredible average of 84, with two hundred and one fifty. Heinrich Klaasen is another hitter we anticipate will make an impact. The hard-hitting wicket-keeper hitter has scored 422 runs in his past eight innings with a strike rate of 128.65 and an average of 71. Klaasen is especially lethal against spin bowlers and will target Australia’s spinners in the middle overs.   

South Africa would welcome the return of Kagiso Rabada to the bowling squad. Rabada has 19 ODI wickets at an average of 27.52 against Australia and will want to improve to that total. 

South Africa Squads

South Africa 

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Marco Jansen/Wayne Parnell, Heinrich Klaassen, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje, and Keshav Maharaj/Bjorn Fortuin.

Australia

Australia enters this series on the back of a strong ODI record, having defeated England 3-0 at home in late 2022 and India 2-1 away earlier this year. However, they are missing a few crucial players from their lineup. Steve Smith is still recovering from a wrist injury sustained during the Ashes, and Mitchell Starc is sidelined with a groin problem. The regular team leader, Pat Cummins, will also miss the ODIs due to a fractured wrist, and Glen Maxwell has been ruled out due to an injured ankle.

Having said that, this Australian team should not be underestimated. Mitchell Marsh, an all-rounder, was outstanding in the T20I series, scoring 92* and 79* in the first two games. The stand-in skipper should have adjusted to the conditions by now and is our top batter to keep an eye on. Marsh has scored 274 runs in his previous five ODIs, with an average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 123.

Travis Head, fresh off a stunning 48-ball 91 in the third T20I, is looking better with each series he plays. In this series, he is set to open the batting and provide the squad with some quick starts. We also expect a strong series from David Warner (350 runs in his last seven matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 95.62). Warner’s experience on these pitches will be extremely beneficial to the team.

Josh Hazlewood (10 wickets in the last 6 games at an average of 3.54) should do well on this surface as a bowler. Adam Zampa, a leg-spinner who has 22 wickets in his previous 10 games at an average of 4.68, should also be avoided.

Australia Squads

Australia

Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey (wk), David Warner, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, and Adam Zampa.

SA vs AUS outfield report

Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

After winning the toss, the skipper will choose to bowl. Early on, the pitch will offer something for pace bowlers, and the team leader will be ready to take advantage of the youngsters.

There is no chance of rain, but it could get down to 1 degree at night, which could make life difficult for players.

The pitch will be ideal for cricket. The new ball will benefit pace bowlers, while spinners will advantage as well as the ball becomes soft. Because of the high altitude, batters will get the most out of their shots, the outfield is speedy, and the ball goes distances.

SA vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In ODIs, South Africa has beaten Australia with excellent success. The team has won in each of their last five encounters vs. Australia. In the previous series, South Africa defeated Australia 3-0.

South Africa vs Australia Prediction

Winning the toss

• Australia

Player of the Match

• Australia – Travis Head

Most runs

• South Africa – Temba Bavuma
• Australia – Travis Head

Most wickets

• South Africa – Kagiso Rabada
• Australia – Adam Zampa

Most sixes

• South Africa – Temba Bavuma
• Australia – Travis Head

Team Scores Batting First

• South Africa – 270+
• Australia – 280+

As the ODI season progresses, stay tuned for more exciting Cricket Match Predictions and action-packed contests.