India dismissed the Australians for 199 before Pat Cummins’ lineup had the hosts on the mat in reply with three wickets down for two runs in 12 deliveries. The Aussies could have cracked India further, but paid dearly for Mitchel Marsh’s dropped catch when Virat Kohli was on 12. Kohli made the most of his reprieve, combining with K.L. Rahul to guide India to a six-wicket win with plenty of overs to spare.
Maxwell said dew at Chennai made it difficult for Australia to grip the ball in the night session, and the spin was inconsistent.
“When you come to India you will be faced with a whole heap of different conditions, whether it be flat wickets that don’t bounce or dry wickets that turn quite a bit,” he said.
Marcus Stoinis’ experience at Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL could win the allrounder a place in the playing XI on Thursday, giving Australia a fourth seam bowling option. Stoinis missed the opening game because he wasn’t fully recovered from hamstring injury.
“He’s a big energy for our team and someone who is a matchwinner,” Maxwell said, “and someone you need in these types of tournaments.”
South Africa got away to a flyer when Aiden Markram smashed the fastest century in a World Cup and Quinton de Kock, playing for the last time in a major international tournament, and Rassie van der Dussen also scored big hundreds against Sri Lanka.
David Miller and Heinrich Klassen also showed brief batting prowess lower down the order and showed that the South Africans have come to India intent on breaking their long, painful title drought.
“We have learned to play with positive thinking,” Markram said after his blistering 106 off 54 balls. “We’re known to start pretty slowly, be it in a series or world events.
“But I think there’s a lot of passion in this team to give our absolute all at this World Cup and see how far it can get us.”
Australia know the abilities of South African batting after the Proteas won 3-2 the recent series at home after losing the first two matches.
The new wicket in Lucknow may tempt captain Temba Bavuma to include left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi along with Keshav Maharaj – especially after watching Australian batters struggling against the Indian spin trio.
Sri Lanka gave South Africa a scare in the batting powerplay before they was bowled out for 326, with Kusal Mendis smashing eight sixes and four boundaries in his 42-ball knock of 76.
“We asked for a clinical performance with ball and didn’t get that, but individual performances were good,” Bavuma said. “We probably didn’t adjust early enough. Kesh (Maharaj) took the pace off and was very good, maybe we need to add spin options.”
History
Australia and South Africa have played 108 ODI matches. Australia have won 50 and South Africa 54. One match ended in a no result and three in a tie. In ODI World Cups Australia and South Africa have faced each other in 6 matches. Australia have won 3 and South Africa two. 1 match was tied.
TAB odds
Australia $1.68 South Africa $2.15
How to watch
Sky Sport 2 from 9.30pm tonight, the Herald will have live updates.
Herald prediction
South Africa by 4 wickets/30 runs.
Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
