World Cup warm-ups: Australia look to redeem themselves against South Africa

Smarting from a 38-run defeat at the hands of India in their opening World Cup warm-up game, Australia would be looking to redeem themselves when they take on South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.

 

Australia would be looking to resurrect their middle and lower-order which collapsed dramatically against the Indian spinners with the last eight wickets falling for just 58 runs.

Mumbai, February 14, 2011

By CricketCountry Staff

Smarting from a 38-run defeat at the hands of India in their opening World Cup warm-up game, Australia would be looking to redeem themselves when they take on South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.

 

Australia would be looking to resurrect their middle and lower-order which collapsed dramatically against the Indian spinners with the last eight wickets falling for just 58 runs.

 

Australia would be pleased with the form of skipper Ricky Ponting, his first game since the Boxing Day Test and the manner in which the likes of Shane Watson and Tim Paine got the top-order going. They would be more than satisfied with the way speed merchant Brett Lee shaped up in the practice opener.

 

The game would be one last opportunity for the likes of Michael Clarke, David Hussey, Cameron White and Callum Ferguson to get some runs under their belt before they kick-start their World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe at Ahmedabad on February 21.

 

South Africa, on the other hand, are riding high after a convincing eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at Chennai. The Proteas top-order – Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and skipper Graeme Smith enjoyed useful batting practice as they chased down Zimbabwe’s target of 153 with consummate ease. South African would also be encouraged by the news that fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who sustained a knee injury in the game against Zimbabwe, is given the all-clear, putting to rest doubts about his participation in the big-ticket event.

 

In another warm-up game, Bangladesh take on Pakistan at Dhaka. The Bangla Tigers had an impressive World Cup build-up with a commanding nine wicket victory over minnows Canada in their opening practice game at Chittagong.

 

The third warm-up game would pit West Indies against Sri Lanka. Both teams pulled off emphatic wins over Kenya and Netherlands in their opening practice games respectively.

 

In two other warm-up games, Zimbabwe take on Ireland at Nagpur while Netherlands meet Kenya in Colombo.

 

 

Pictures @ Getty Images

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