South Africa vs Australia, 1st ODI: Likely XI for Steven Smith & Co

Australia will be in high spirits after beating Sri Lanka in ODI series by 4-1 and then Ireland in the one-off ODI, prior to this series.

Australia will look to continue their world domination in the ODI circuit after winning against Sri Lanka in the ODI series by 4-1 and then romping over minnows Ireland in the one-off ODI played recently. Their ODI series against South Africa kicks-off at Centurion. AB de Villiers’ not playing on for South Africa, will only increase Australia’s chances to turn this ODI series in their favour. They have performed reasonably well in the shorter format of the game after a humiliating loss of 3-0 against Sri Lanka in the Test series. The Steven Smith-led side won the ODI against Ireland quite comfortably, bagging a win by 9 wickets. That ODI would have worked as a warm-up game before going up against big guns who pose a threat while playing in their own backyard. Australia are currently No.1 ODI team in ICC ODI rankings.

But, despite winning the previous ODI, there are a few changes one can expect in Smith’s side.

Top Order: Australia’s top order might see a shuffle as Aaron Finch returns to the side. Finch did not play against Ireland due to minor injury. He is expected to play in the first ODI as disclosed by Usman Khawaja in an interview to Cricket Australia. Finch’s performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka was satisfactory as he helped his side to get good starts. Finch scored two fifties on the tour but could not convert the starts into a big score. He is expected to get a nod ahead of Khawaja to open against the Proteas.

David Warner is expected to open alongside Finch. Warner has been going through a rough patch. He scored 48 against Ireland but failed to deliver for a better part of Sri Lanka tour. The only match-winning innings he played was in the fifth ODI when he scored 106, taking the game away from the opposition. He contributed well in the T20I series. Warner was in good form before the Sri Lanka tour as he was the second highest run-scorer in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016. He led the side in absence of Smith, and he will be giving his inputs on the field to help his captain overcome the Proteas challenge.

Khawaja meanwhile, had a forgettable Sri Lanka tour, failing to score big in all formats. He could score only 55 runs in two Tests, 6 runs in two ODIs and 42 in two T20Is. He came back well against Ireland scoring 82 runs unbeaten from 77 balls. He is more likely to bat at No.3 position as Finch is expected to open alongside Warner.

Middle Order: Skipper Smith will be batting at No.4 as Khawaja is to bat at No.3. Smith has been in good form lately. He scored an half-century in one of the two ODIs he played against Sri Lanka. He left the tour midway and came back into the side against Ireland, scoring 58 unbeaten against Ireland to take his side home without any fuss. He was the sole batsmen, who could contribute in the Test series on Sri Lanka tour. Earlier he had a good IPL 2016 season too, playing for Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS). He will be strengthening Australia’s middle order on the tour and will look to start afresh, after a much needed break.

George Bailey will be coming to bat at No.5. Bailey was consistent in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, stabilising the innings when wickets fell early for Australia. He ensured that Australia reached the target at several instances in the ODI series. Bailey had two half-centuries on the tour. He has been a dependable batsman in the middle order for Australia and will be expected to continue to do so against South Africa as well. In Sri Lanka his ability to play spin better than any other batsmen was helpful for him, in the upcoming series his challenge will be different though.

Youngster Travis Head will come at No.6. Head shared vital partnerships with Bailey and wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade against Sri Lanka. Having played just seven ODIs, this will be a big opportunity for Head to prove himself against a tough opposition. Head got decent starts against Sri Lanka but like most players in the side, could not convert them into big scores. Head, has an opportunity coming his way which he cannot afford to miss as Glenn Maxwell is his suitable replacement seeing his recent ballistic performance against Sri Lanka in two T20I matches.

Wade proved himself down the order on the recent tour, he even tried to rescue Australia in second ODI which they lost where no other batsman could make a mark. He scored 165 in five ODIs sharing vital partnerships to get his side closer to the target. He will be tested against South Africa in the ODI series. However, it will be a choice between him and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to bat for the No.7 slot.

Lower-Order: Marsh or Wade might bat at No.8. Marsh can perform both with bat and ball. He featured in the Tri-nation series against West Indies and South Africa. He will be providing balance to the Australian side given his all-round skills in the game. He took a wicket against Ireland in the previous match. If Australian top and middle order have a bad day at work, Marsh will be expected to perform as he strengthens his side’s lower or middle-lower order.

John Hastings proved his worth against Sri Lanka when he took 6 for 45 in fourth ODI. Hastings made the most of the opportunity he was given by taking nine wickets in three ODIs and two wickets in two T20Is. He also got two wickets against Ireland. Though, he will be relieved after De Villiers’ exit from the tournament.  He can contribute with the bat too, knocking a few around the park.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been the answer to Australia’s spin woes in ODIs. Zampa has performed consistently in recent times, not just taking wickets but stopping the flow of runs in the middle overs, not letting the batsmen feel comfortable at crease. He took nine wickets in ODI series and four in T20I series on recent tour to Sri Lanka. The leg-spinner got the better of Irish batsmen, taking three wickets in the previous ODI. He will be the key player for the visitors all along the series. He has had a good run in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2016 and IPL 2016 as well.

It depends on Australian skipper whether they give chance to youngster Daniel Worrall or Scott Boland. The latter made quite an impact against Ireland by taking a fifer. On the contrary, Worrall might just get the nod ahead of him keeping in mind that he is a future prospect. Worrall was impressive in the Quadrangular ‘A’ series against India A, South Africa A and National Performance Squad. Nevertheless, Mitchell Starc’s absence due to injury will affect their chances against the Proteas. Starc and Josh Hazlewood were rested for the series. Starc’s void though cannot be filled, South Africa will be happy about that.

Australia’s Likely XI (batting order): Aaron Finch, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), George Bailey, Travis Head, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Marsh, John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Scott Boland/Daniel Worrall

(Arun Rawal, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a daydreamer, movie buff, and cricket fanatic. He could not play cricket, so did the next best thing, writing for it. He loves to play the flick shot over square leg, and believes Sachin Tendulkar is God. His Twitter handle is @ArunRawal93)