World Cup 2023, Semi-Final 2: Australia Predicted XI against South Africa

image-lozzz3rpSteve Smith and Mitchell Marsh in World Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

The 2023 World Cup is just a couple of matches shy of revealing the Champions. We are into the knockout stages and the second semi final will feature South Africa and Australia squaring off against each other at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The game is slated to begin at 2:00 PM IST.

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South Africa

The Proteas side looked a very dominating side until the hosts steamrolled them in the very same venue i.e. Eden Gardens. They initiated the tournament with a blast, scoring the highest-ever run in a World Cup match - 428 against Sri Lanka. A couple of wins was succeeded by a heartbreak when the Netherlands defeated South Africa for the second time in 365 days. However, they bounced back and followed it up by wins against England, Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand. In their last game, they also achieved a victory against Afghanistan to finish second in the points table.


Australia

The Australian side didn't start the World Cup on a great note. They were eclipsed by two dominant forces namely India and South Africa. However, Australia being Australia, bounced back in style as they always do in premier events. The Pat Cummins-led unit never turned back since then and went on to win seven consecutive matches. They were very close to a defeat against New Zealand despite scoring 389 runs. But ultimately, the Kangaroos escaped the heavy rolling by a margin of five runs. Similar to their forthcoming opponents, South Africa finished the league stage with 12 points from nine matches.



Now, let us deep dive into the Australian Predicted XI against South Africa in the second semi final.

Openers: David Warner and Travis Head

David Warner and Travis Head form the dynamic opening combination for the Australians. They forged a strong opening partnership against the Kiwis where both Warner and Head notched up individual tons. Their attacking nature can push the new ball bowlers to the back seat.

Warner has racked up 499 runs from nine innings that includes two scintillating hundreds and as many fifties. He is the leading run-getter for the Aussies in the tournament and has been a huge boost to the team.


Middle-Order: Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, and Josh Inglis

Mitchell Marsh has floated in the top three for Australia in the last couple of months based on the availability of Head. But now since Head is back in the XI, Marsh is their no. 3. In that scenario, Steve Smith becomes their no. 4. And Marnus Labuschagne may get left out to fit Glenn Maxwell in the scene.

Marsh has scored over 400 runs in the World Cup and is the second-highest run-getter for the Aussies in the World Cup. He stormed 177* off 132 balls against Bangladesh in their latest outing and also scored another ton earlier against Pakistan. He is a big match player and also scored a match-winning knock in the final of the 2021 World Cup.

Steve Smith is just getting better with time. He missed a game a few days back due to vertigo symptoms but bounced back strong against Bangladesh. Smudge has scored 268 runs from eight innings that includes four forty-plus scores. He had a turbulent start in the campaign but has scored three forty-plus scores in his last three innings.

Josh Inglis will be the wicketkeeper for Australia instead of Alex Carey. The former did well with the gloves behind the stumps. He is also a prolific batter and has the ability to adapt to situations. Inglis will be a key part of the Australian middle order.


All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis

Marnus Labuschagne is likely to be the scapegoat when Maxwell returns for the semi final clash. But the decision is important with respect to the balance of the team. Maxwell scored the first double century of the World Cup 2023 against Afghanistan. From a position that read 91-7, the all-rounder bludgeoned a double ton despite body cramps. He ensured that the Aussies went over the finishing line and played an immortal ODI innings.

Marcus Stoinis will be the pace bowling all-rounder for the side. He has played a considerable amount of cricket in Indian conditions and has good change-ups that could suit the conditions of Wankhede. With the bat, Stoinis has the duties of finishing a game and the Hulk would look to do his task well.


Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa

The Aussies have a set bowling attack that includes three pacers and a solitary spinner in Adam Zampa. The wrist spinner has lifted the team’s spirit since a couple of setbacks at the start of the tourney. He has scalped 22 wickets from nine innings two three-fers and three four-fours.

Hazlewood is the next best in the Aussie wicket-taker’s column with 12 wickets from nine matches. Cummins and Starc has bagged ten wickets each.

Australia Predicted XI against South Africa

David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood.