South Africa and Australia will face off in the third and final game of the three-game T20I series. Kingsmead in Durban will host the clash on Sunday 3 September.
South Africa will be careful to save face in the final T20I of the series to avoid a clean win after losing their opening two games. Despite a brilliant line-up, the hosts' performances with the racquet were unconvincing.
The Aussies, led by Mitchell Marsh, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The guest team has been clinical so far and will attempt to complete another clinical achievement.
On Friday, Australia beat the Proteas by eight wickets. Mitchell Marsh, who had a 92-point unbeaten run in the series' opener, delivered another boost of substance in the second game.
Marsh hit 79 runs on 38 balls with eight fours and six sixes. His goal gave the visitors a goal of 165 with 31 balls to go. Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis took three wickets each.
South Africa's punching power fell sharply in the opening game of the series and it didn't get any better in the second game either. Their bowlers were also taken to the cleaners. It remains to be seen whether they will make a comeback.
Team Preview
South Africa
The Proteas haven't looked that weak in recent years. They've been impressive against the top teams in the T20Is, including their tour of India.
And to lose back-to-back home games against an Aussie side lacking their regular players comes as a shock. The 3rd T20I is a great opportunity for South Africa to recover and gain some confidence ahead of the ODI series.
They've brought in Dewald Brewis and Tristan Stubbs in roles that have historically been reserved for other players. Lower middle class is a crucial spot in the batting order in T20Is and these two are the brightest talents from the pool of young and up and coming players in South Africa.
This is their golden chance to show off their skills and secure their place in the XI for the future. However, not only the newcomers, but also the seniors have difficulties in finding the rhythm.
Temba Bavumalooked out of action and Rassie van der Dussen, a key player in South Africa's midfield, also failed to live up to expectations.
Although Rabada and Nortje are absent from this line-up, Lungi Ngidi's bowling form is now a major concern. Tabraiz Shamsi plays an important role in spin and is someone who has performed extremely well in the recent past.
The bowling attack doesn't look promising and with key players out of shape, South Africa are on the defensive.
Australia
Australia were exceptionally good with both bat and ball. Mitchell Marsh has done what was expected of him and Australian management would be delighted.
While Travis Head struggled as a starter, Matthew Short was well positioned and made great starts. He will be crucial along with in-form skipper Mitchell Marsh at No. 3 in the leading group.
Wicket-keeper batsman Josh Inglis would love to get a few runs in 4th but the Aussies are fine even when he's not shooting. You have Marcus Stoinis and Tim David in the lower middle class.
With two of the most sought-after T20 players in their batting roster, Australia can be confident of a big result. Marsh is someone who can hit a big shot and build the innings around him.
His performance will definitely give others the confidence to go out and play freely. Bowling was Australia's biggest discovery of the tour.
Tanveer Sangha shone with the ball on his debut 4 for 31 while Nathan Ellis took three wickets in the 2nd T20I, taking a lead for the first time. A relatively inexperienced bowling attack delivered Australia's success and will be vital to victory in this game.
Pitch Report
The Kingsmead surface has proven very supportive for batters with limits as low as 60 yards. Expect multiple sixes to be hit in this high-profile affair. Australia's remarkable comeback from 165 in the 15th over in the previous game underscores the friendly nature of the field.
Weather Report
There is a 30 to 50 percent chance of rain throughout the game. The temperatures are around 18 degrees Celsius.
Toss Prediction
The captain who wins the toss will look to bowl. The terrain is very small and the borders are only 60-70 meters, making it very difficult to defend.
Match Prediction
Australia have outperformed their opponents in the series so far. Given their current form, it wouldn't be a surprise if they won the final.
Prediction: Australia will win the final game of the series.
Venue Details
Kingsmead in Durban will host the third and final T20I in the series. The two previous games were also played at the same venue. While the first inning average here is 157 runs, it's clear that the team batting first needs at least 185+ runs to have any chance of a successful defense. A massive total like that scored by Australia in the first game would force the batters to make mistakes in the second inning.
Head to Head
Australia have enjoyed plenty of success against South Africa in T20I cricket and they have been brilliant in the ongoing series as well.
Betting Tips
The odds for a South African win are of course better, but actually not as high as we had imagined. Given the fact that South Africa played so poorly, you would have thought the odds were incredibly high. That's why we continue to support Australia's win as the team were so great with stick and ball and we see no reason to end this on the same pitch as the other games.
Bet on Australia to win.
Probable Playing XI
South Africa
Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs (wk), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi
Australia
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha/Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Top Fantasy Picks Dream11 Prediction
South Africa Key Players
Aiden Markram – Aiden Markram was the only batsman who managed to score some runs against the Australian attack. Markram scored 49 points before being dismissed in the second T20I. The captain must appear in the final game to help the team avoid a clean win.
Temba Bavuma – Bavuma gave South Africa a flying start in the second game but failed to score big and was eliminated by 35. The opener needs to make sure he plays a big inning once he gets off to a good start like second T20I in game one.
Reeza Hendricks – Reeza Hendricks scored fifty points in the first game but couldn't score much in the second game. The batsman will put in a decent performance in the third game.
Australia Key Players
Tim David – Tim David was in brutal form in the first game, scoring 64 in 28 balls. David didn't bat in the second game and will be an important player for Australia. It's a small course and David is a big hitter, even misses go out of the park.
Mitchell Marsh – Marsh was great in the two games he played. In the first game he scored 92 points and in the second game he scored 79 points. Australia will be happy with their form.
Nathan Ellis – Nathan Ellis showed great form in the second game, choosing three wickets. His variations and abilities on death make him a special bowler.
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