thumbnail

South Africa vs. Australia | A Modern-Day Cricketing Rivalry

As Australia arrives in South Africa for a T20 series, which begins with the first T20 tomorrow, followed by an ODI series, we take a look at one of the most intense cricketing rivalries in the modern era.
Howzat fantasy sports app will be hosting the matches being played between Australia and South Africa. This article will give deep insights into the fantasy cricket lover and help them select the best fantasy teams in the upcoming series. This way they can dominate the fantasy leagues and win real cash!

History

Australia travels to South Africa on the back of an impressive T20 record on South African grounds, winning their last 2 T20 series against the Proteas. But Australia will be wary of South Africa in the ODI series where the former was whitewashed 5-0 back in 2016. 

If we talk about the last 10 matches where the two teams faced each other, Australia has won three out of the five T20 matches played between them whereas South Africa has stunned the Australians 4 times in the past 5 ODI matches.

T209 Nov ’144 Mar ’166 Mar ’169 Mar ’1617 Nov ’18
AUSWLWWL
SALWLLW

ODI12 Oct ’164 Nov ’189 Nov ’1811 Nov ’186 Jul ’19
AUSLLWLL
SAWWLWW

The two have faced each other in some iconic matches in the past.

  • 12th March ’06, 5th ODI, Australia Tour of South Africa, Johannesburg

This match was iconic for breaking multiple records on a single day. Batting first, Australia posted a mammoth total of 434 runs breaking the record for the highest innings total in an ODI match ever. Ponting scored a blistering 164 runs and was confident of seeing this match through. South Africa lost Dippenaar early but Gibbs and Smith led the charge and South Africa successfully chased the target in 49.5 overs!

Watch the highlights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcALRMpKRGI

  • 17th June ’99, 2nd SF, ICC World Cup, Birmingham

South Africa won the toss and seeing the seaming conditions, elected to field first. Australia managed to put up 213 on the board with Bevan and S. Waugh scoring half-centuries. South Africa began the chase with a good partnership between Kirsten and Gibbs but wickets fell regularly and South Africa needed 9 runs to win in the final over with only one wicket in hand. Klusner started the over by hitting two boundaries. With only 1 run required of 4 balls, Klusner could not manage the pressure as he forced his partner, A Donald, to take a run and in the process Donald got run out, scoring a diamond duck. Australia went through to the final and beat Pakistan to lift the world cup. 

Watch the highlights- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvPtbz1HdPY

Current Form

South Africa

The Proteas, who have had a disappointing series against England where they lost the Test and T20 series, would be looking to make amends in the home series against Australia. The lacklustre performances have forced Du Plessis to step down from the Test and T20 captaincy. It’ll be a difficult series for the Proteas against the mighty Australians.

Last 5 T20 Matches- LWWLL

Last 5 ODI Matches- WWWDL

Australia

The Kangaroos would be disappointed to have lost the away ODI series to India despite playing well but strong performances at home against New Zealand and Pakistan plus the return of Smith and Warner will be a source of confidence for the Australians as they take on South Africa.

Last 5 T20 Matches- WWWWW

Last 5 ODI Matches- LLWLL

Squads for Australia’s Tour of South Africa

South Africa T20 Squad: Q de Kock (capt. & wk), T Bavuma, Du Plessis, R van der Dussen, D Miller, P van Biljon, D Pretorius, A Phehlukwayo, J Smuts, K Rabada, T Shamsi, L Ngidi, B Fortuin, A Nortje, D Steyn, H Klaasen.

Australia T20 Squad: A Finch (capt), D Short, S Smith, D Warner, M Marsh, A Agar, J Richardson, A Carey (wk), M Wade, S Abbott, P Cummins, K Richardson, M Starc, A Zampa.

South Africa ODI Squad: TBA

Australia ODI Squad: A Finch (capt), D Short, S Smith, D Warner, M Marsh, A Agar, M Labuschagne, A Carey (wk), M Wade, P Cummins, J Hazelwood, K Richardson, M Starc, A Zampa

Players to Watch Out For

  • D Miller: Miller is an excellent power-hitter of pace bowling and South Africa will need him for the series against Australia as well as in the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia
  • M Labuschagne: Taking Test cricket by the storm and shaking the entire world with his consistency, Marnus Labuschagne will be on everyone’s radar
  • L Ngidi: Ngidi has been exceptional in his short international career so far. He has got express pace, control and an ample number of tools in his array
  • A Carey: Carey is a promising talent, and former Australian captain R Ponting has also shown trust after taking him in the Delhi Team during the 2020 auction
  • J Hazelwood: Tall and accurate pace bowler who has impressed the cricketing world with his unrelenting attitude towards batsmen