South Africa vs Australia, Australia tour of South Africa, 2020, Today Match Prediction 23 Feb 2020

sa vs aus Match Prediction & Analysis

Host South Africa will be keen to make a strong comeback when they take on Australia in the second T20I game of the series at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

South African Captain Quinton de Kock will be hoping that the side can make amends in this game after delivering an abject batting performance at The Wanderers. The home side will need to raise their game with bat and ball in a bid to level the three-match series.

On the other hand, Australia registered a mammoth 107-run win over South Africa in the opening game, courtesy splendid performances from Aaron Finch, Steven Smith and Ashton Agar. Captain Aaron Finch and co. will certainly be another T20I series win in South Africa.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

The home side will need to devise better plans in a bid to end their three-match losing streak in the T20 format. Head Coach Mark Boucher will not be pleased with the mistakes made by South Africa in the opening fixture.

South Africa is expected to make one or two changes to their playing XI for the second game at Port Elizabeth. Pacer Lungi Ngidi conceded 37 runs in his three overs against Australia and might be replaced by Anrich Nortje. Dwaine Pretorius or Temba Bavuma might come in place of JJ Smuts, who clearly failed to make an impact with bat and ball in the opening game of the series. The bowling will be a cause of concern as once again South Africa conceded more than 190 runs against Australia. Pacer Kagiso Rabada bowled poorly and conceded 45 runs in his three overs. He will be looking to make a strong comeback in this contest.

Veteran Dale Steyn and Tabraiz Shamsi bowled well and conceded less than eight runs an over. Left-arm Chinaman Tabraiz Shami continued his good form and picked up key wickets of Steven Smith and Aaron Finch in the opening game played at Johannesburg.

In the batting department, the onus will be the experienced trio of Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and Rassie van der Dussen to deliver the bulk of the runs. Captain Quinton de Kock suffered a rare failure and will need to make a notable contribution with the bat in this contest.

In his comeback game for South Africa, Faf du Plessis looked good in his innings and scored 24 runs off 22 balls with the help of three boundaries. Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo perished for low scores to see South Africa get bundled out for 89 runs in 14.3 overs.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, JJ Smuts/Dwaine Pretorius, David Miller, Pite van Biljon/Temba Bavuma, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje/Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, PJ van Biljon, Lungi Ngidi

Australia Preview

The visitors delivered a clinical performance with bat and ball to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Aaron Finch-led unit will be looking to extend their winning streak in this game as well.

After losing the toss in the opening game, Australia got off to a shaky start as David Warner was dismissed by Dale Steyn in the opening over of the innings. Despite losing the big wicket of Warner, Captain Aaron Finch and Steven Smith put on an 80-run partnership to stabilize the innings for Australia. Aaron Finch played well and scored 42 runs off 27 balls with help of six fours and one six. He will be looking to maintain his excellent form in the remaining two matches of the T20I series.

Steven Smith also delivered a splendid inning of 45 runs off 32 balls with the help of five fours and one six. Wicket-keeper Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, and Ashton Agar contributed with decent scores to see Australia post 196 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

In the bowling department, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson and Pat Cummins delivered excellent spells with the new-ball. Cummins dismissed JJ Smuts and Rassie van der Dussen to see Australia take control of the game. The spin duo of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar did most of the damage for Australia. They collectively took seven wickets to see Australia register a thumping win. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar ran through the tail and finished with figures of 5 for 24 in his four overs.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey, KW Richardson, Ashton Agar, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, David Warner, Adam Zampa

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will offer some assistance for the quick bowlers. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Sunday is expected to have sunny intervals with a moderate breeze.

Venue Details

St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth is going to host the second T20I between South Africa and Australia. In 2012, South Africa registered a comfortable win over New Zealand in a T20 game played at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and exploit the conditions. The average score at the venue is around 140 to 150 runs.