The forthcoming Australia vs South Africa showdown will unfold at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. If we take a look at the performances so far coming from the teams then South Africa does seem to have an upper hand. In a dramatic turn of events, the Australian cricket team kicked off their 2023 World Cup campaign on October 8 with an unexpected loss, marking their first defeat in this tournament since 1996.
This stunning upset came at the hands of a formidable Indian squad that outperformed the Aussies in every aspect of the game. Conversely, the South African team made an impressive debut in the ICC World Cup 2023, securing a resounding victory against Sri Lanka. In this record-breaking match, the Proteas managed to achieve a historic feat, with three of their players, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Rassie van der Dussen, each scoring a century, setting a new record for the most centuries in a single ODI match.
Head-to-head stats
The rivalry between Australia and South Africa in One Day Internationals has spanned 108 encounters. South Africa has managed to clinch victory in 54 of these matches, while Australia has emerged victorious in 50, and three matches concluded in a tie. One encounter yielded no result. Their confrontations in World Cup events have seen them face off six times, with the Australians securing victory on three occasions.
Pitch Report
Despite the limited data from only three ODIs at this venue, it appears that teams batting second have a slight advantage. However, teams participating in the match should aim to set a formidable first-innings total, surpassing the average score of 230 to feel confident on this balanced pitch.
Weather Report
Regarding the weather conditions for the match, Lucknow is expected to be hot and humid, with minimal chances of rain. The weather forecast indicates a mere 2% probability of precipitation, while temperatures are anticipated to soar as high as 35 degrees Celsius.
Probable XI
Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (Captain), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (Captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi