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Australia is the second-most economical team when it
comes to ball-handling and the second-fastest team when it comes to batting.
Even more so than Pakistan and Afghanistan, South Africa has been a poor
starter at the bat but an explosive ball player, taking more wickets during
powerplays than any other team. Having defeated Australia in their previous
four meetings, including once during the World Cup group stages, South Africa
has momentum at their disposal. However, Australia is riding high after winning
their last seven games, and they also have some knockout ghosts to remind South
Africa of. When they battle in Kolkata, keep an eye out for some of these
strategic manoeuvres.
Toss conundrum
pursue. They puffed and puffered their way through,
even when winning when trailing Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have beaten
Australia four times in a row all while batting first.
However, there may be some relief for South Africa.
Rain is expected to fall in the evening. This forecast may lessen South
Africa’s chasing difficulties if it persuades Australia to chase or shortens
the duration of South Africa’s chase.
Still, expect both sides to risk the dew or the rain
because the advantage to be gained by batting first is too big to ignore.
Team combos
These sides each have one selection uncertainty,
unlike India and New Zealand in the opening semi-final. Australia must decide
between Marcus Stoinis and Marnus Labuschagne. After the exciting top three,
Labuschagne adds more stability to the middle, while Stoinis theoretically
offers both strong hitting later in the order and a sixth bowling option. With
some steadiness needed in the middle overs, Labuschagne is now in form and
sentimental favourite. However, Australia will only play him if they are certain
that Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh will assist with the ball, as Glenn Maxwell
is their fifth bowler. Additionally, considering he will be up against a lot of
Keshav Maharaj in the middle, Labuschagne’s record against left-arm spin may
work against him.
Attack Starc
Mitchell Starc’s economy rate of 6.55 and average of
43.9 in the World Cup can be partially attributed to his limited opportunities
to bowl with a moving ball. In Kolkata, it hasn’t changed much either. South
Africa may therefore wish to focus on Starc, particularly if they are chasing,
as we have observed that, in most cases, if you fall behind in a chase this
season, there is no turning back.
Attack Jansen
One of the main factors in South Africa’s success in
this World Cup has been Marco Jansen. His height offers him a significant
advantage even when he is not swinging the ball. He has, nevertheless, scored
more than 90 in two different games. Once when Rohit Sharma took advantage of
him when Kusal Mendis got a hold of him, and another time when he began
erratically, maybe due to nervousness.
If Jansen finds his stride, the patterns indicate he
may be quite the player. As David Warner bats usually at the other end,
Australia will probably want Head and Marsh to chase him and see if he breaks.
In either case, Australia’s opening 10 overs of the innings look very tasty.