Match Preview: Australia vs South Africa ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 10th Match

Australia and South Africa reignite their intense World Cup rivalry, one of cricket's most storied. Fans recall classic encounters, most notably the 1999 Edgbaston semi-final. While history evokes excitement, their recent frequent clashes, including six ODIs in just over a month, suggest they've become more familiar foes. Against this backdrop, Australia aims to overturn a troubling slide, and a formidable South Africa seeks to sustain its irresistible form.

Venue Insights

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow will host this encounter. The venue has come under scrutiny, especially following the 2023 IPL where its surface was dubbed the worst of the tournament. Historically, the pitch has produced low-scoring games, setting an intriguing context for this clash.

The controversies surrounding Lucknow’s surface aren't limited to the IPL; the curator was sacked after a low-scoring T20I between India and New Zealand earlier in the year, highlighting the pitch’s unreliability. Both teams must adapt swiftly to this unpredictable surface to secure an advantage.

Form Guide - Australia

Australia's recent form has raised concerns. They've suffered six defeats in their last seven ODIs. Even with the return of key players, they faltered in the World Cup opener against India. Their middle order, despite featuring big names, has struggled, leading to collapses like the one in Chennai. Notably, Australia's recent setbacks are not solely due to lacklustre performances from the batters; their bowlers have also faced challenges.

In a match in Potchefstroom, they failed to defend a large total, with Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi playing pivotal roles in their defeat. This inconsistency in both batting and bowling has raised eyebrows, especially given Australia's historically dominant cricketing legacy.

Form Guide - South Africa

The Proteas, conversely, have been in scintillating form. They've amassed substantial totals, recently scoring 428 against Sri Lanka. With batters such as Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram in prime form, they appear to have the momentum.

Their batting success isn't confined to the Sri Lanka game; against Australia, they posted scores of 338, 416, and 315, underscoring their prowess. This consistency in their batting lineup presents a challenge for any bowling side facing them and will be a psychological factor in the forthcoming match.

Players to Watch

For Australia, all eyes are on Alex Carey. Following a standout 2019 World Cup, he now needs to find form, particularly given the significance of his middle-order role. While Carey's inconsistencies with the bat have raised concerns, his strike rate of 85.73 over the past four years indicates a need for him to accelerate his scoring.