Published: Oct 09, 2016, 08:15 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 09, 2016, 11:18 AM (IST)
The fourth One-Day International (ODI) of five-ODI series between South Africa and Australia will be played at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. Hosts South Africa have already won the series by winning the first three ODIs convincingly. Two out of three matches so far, South Africa batted second and chased down. It’s a fact that Australia are currently having some rough time with some inexperience bowlers in the side but they haven’t shown any improvement from their bowling department in three ODIs so far. The third ODI between both these teams was the eye opener for both Australian captain and his team. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs Australia, fourth ODI at Port Elizabeth
Australian batsmen did an excellent job by posting a huge total of 371 but couldn’t defend it and let South Africa register the record of second highest successful chase in the history of One-Day cricket. South Africa are surely eyeing a whitewash over Australia and even if they could not or just win the series with four victories, then it will be their biggest series defeat since 2012. Australia last lost four ODIs in a series back in 2012 against England in July 2012 but still there is some hope for their revival in this series as they have good record at Port Elizabeth. They have won four out of seven matches at this venue so far. Despite all those things, Australia really need to revisit their team combination in order end the series on positive note while South Africa may look for experiment in their team as they have already won the series. Well, ahead of the fourth ODI, in which hosts will aim for another win, here is their likely XI.
Top-order: The top-order of South African batting line-up is expecting to be same with Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock as openers, followed by captain Faf du Plessis at number three. De Kock is a bit attacking nature batsmen while Amla and du Plessis knows how to play on what situation. If the pitch offers something for batters then all the top three batsmen will eye for big score. On the other hand, if the pitch offers a bit for the bowlers, then, Amla and du Plessis are the best batsman in entire South African side to handle the situation with their immense experience and can take the scoreboard in their team’s favour. All in all, if any of these batsmen clicks, then there is surely another victory for South Africa as all three has the ability the turn the table on their own.
Middle-Order: The middle-order is also expected to remain same with Rilee Rossouw at number four as Amla is back in the side as opener. After Rossouw, there is South Africa’s most dependable batsman in ODIs in the form of JP Duminy followed by all-rounder Farhaan Behardien and newcomer Dwayne Pretorious. Rossouw likes to go after the bowler and plays attacking brand of cricket while Duminy is one of those batsmen who can snatch the victory for his team from any kind of situation. Duminy is probably the most adaptable batsmen in the current South African as he can play at any kind of situation. After Duminy, there is Behardien in the side and probably, only god knows why he is still in the South African ODI team. Since, David Miller is currently injured so Behardien inclusion is very likely in the side. Behardien has nothing special to be in the side but since that is not going to happen, so let’s move to the next candidate which is expected to get another chance to perform and that is Dwayne Pretorius from North West team of South African domestic circuit. Pretorius got the chance to make his ODI debut in this series. So far, he has played two ODIs but couldn’t impress. Pretorius is very much expected to be in the side and need to show some promise with his performance to cement his place in the side. Well, one can expect this newcomer impressing everyone with his performance in the fourth ODI.
Bowling: Skipper du Plessis go with some experiment in his bowling line-up as the series has been already won. Starting with Andile Phehlukwayo, Kyle Abbott may get to play ahead of Kagiso Rabada as he has played lot of cricket in last year and he may be given rest as there is lot of cricket in next few months. Aaron Phangiso can be also expected to be in the playing XI but Dale Steyn’s place in the side is secured and it’s quite difficult to see him sitting outside, even if South Africa has already won the series. They would like Steyn to get back into his fiery form, despite being expensive in all three matches, so far. After Steyn, there is spinner Imran Tahir and he may asked to sit out in place of chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi, who has impressed in his previous ODI outings for the Proteas.
South Africa likely XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Rilee Rossouw, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien , Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Tabraiz Shamsi.
(Abhishek Kumar is a cricket devotee currently staffing with CricketCountry.com. He can be followed on Twitter @abhik2593 and on Facebook at abhicricket.kumar)
