Australia and South Africa meet for the first time since the dust settled on the sandpaper scandal of the beginning of the year on Sunday when they compete in the first ODI of their three match series. The opening game comes from Perth and should set a decent tone.
Although both teams will be out to beat the other one, both will recognise that there is a bigger picture of the World Cup on the horizon and it will be interesting to see what part that plays on proceedings.
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Australia
What was once the best format for Australia has now become one of their worst as their record in it recently has been ordinary at best. It is worth recognising that they have not always been at full strength in that time but even so their average return has been very disappointing. With time running out between now and the World Cup they need to get going again soon.
Generally with the ball the Aussies have been pretty good apart from their series in England when they didn’t send their first choice attack but they have struggled with the bat. That is a concern although their is no doubt they have the firepower to be a good side. They just need to be lined up correctly and deliver under pressure.
South Africa
You’d be lying if you called it convincing but South Africa are getting the job done in this format at the minute. They have been to Sri Lanka and won a series recently and they have got past Zimbabwe as well. They will want to win with more authority going forward but you can never criticise a team for winning matches.
The beauty with South Africa is you know they are always going to have a competitive bowling attack with the depth of options they have in both the seam and swing department. They haven’t really got used to not having AB de Villiers with the bat but when they do adjust to life without him they will be dangerous.
Team News
Australia could unleash Mitchell Starc after he sat out the series in Pakistan recently. Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis will come into the side from the one which played the T20s in the UAE. Josh Hazlewood is fit too.
South Africa may name the same side which played in the warm up match for the series. Andile Phehlukwayo could replace Dwayne Pretorius but that might be about it. Dale Steyn will be in action barring something unforeseen.
Perth Stadium
There has been just the one ODI at the new Perth Stadium which was between England and Australia which England won in a match which wasn’t the highest scoring game of all time. The wicket has had a lot longer to bed in since then though so I’m expecting to see a better game of cricket here with the runs hopefully flowing a lot more than they did earlier in the year.
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Betting
I look at these two line ups and it is impossible to ignore the extra power in the Australian batting line up and on a small ground that might be the difference because if a couple of their big hitters get in and get going they are going to put up a big score with a number of sixes along the way.
South Africa have a longer tail than I would imagine they would like and that could be significant especially if they lose a couple of early wickets. Australia have the luxury that they can keep going with the likes of Pat Cummins down at number nine and I expect that to be reflected in the amount of sixes hit by both sides. I expect Australia to hit more of them.
Tips
WON – Back Australia Most 6s for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with 888sport
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