Australia will hope their weak top order can set fire to the word Go when they open t20 world cup campaign against an under-the-radar South African team playing without the usual burden of pressure in a Super 12 Group 1 match here on Saturday. Australia, in search of their maiden T20 title, entered the tournament on the back of a grueling run after losing bilateral series to Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, India and England.
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Several first-choice team members recently abandoned the white-ball tour, during which Australia could manage just five wins and 13 matches to lose. So most of their players have done very little preparation. David Warner’s form is a big concern but the team is adamant that the opener will turn things around. His IPL form was poor, after scoring 0 and 2 last month, he was dropped for the second time this year. His troubles continued in two practice games where he scored 0 and 1.
Captain Aaron Finch, who is coming out of knee surgery, has also lacked match practice as vice-captain Pat Cummins, who hasn’t played any cricket since the first leg of the IPL in April. He reached the United Arab Emirates later than the others. Another area of concern is the team’s general struggle against spin bowling.
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They have a solid middle order that includes Steve Smith, and all-rounders Marcus Stoinis, in-form Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, who can move up at any point and prove to be match-winners. Australia has the depth of bowling that leads to the selection puzzle. Spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa are likely to play a key role in the spin-friendly UAE track, which has limited space for pacers like Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson and Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa, on the other hand, will enter a clash on spirits and in-form, emerging victorious in three consecutive series against defending champions West Indies, Ireland and Sri Lanka and both practice games. After going through a revival, the team does not boast of superstars like previous Proteas sides and therefore has less chances of winning the tournament, removing the heavy burden of pressure that usually casts a shadow on the team in every ICC tournament.
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South Africa have a lot of openers at the top (Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendrix) and when they don’t perform it becomes difficult for them. The shallow middle order and lack of solid finishers don’t really help matters. Power hitter David Miller’s form is a matter of great concern. However, the Proteas have a potent bowling attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Enrique Nortje looking after the pace front, while Tabrez Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj lead the spin department. Dwayne Pretorius and Viaan Mulder are his fast bowling all-rounders.
The world’s number one player South Africa’s star player Shamsi has the ability to control the game. He is perfecting his variations and is the leading T20I wicket-taker this year. He will be crucial for the Proteas.
squad
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa .
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendrix, Henrik Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, W Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Enrique Nortje, Dwayne Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabrez Shamsi, Rassi Van der Dussen.
The match will start at 3:30 PM IST.
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