SA vs AUS, 3rd ODI- Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

image-lmfbvvwgHeinrich Klaasen can win the match on his own if he gets going (Source: Twitter)

South Africa and Australia are set to rub shoulders against one another in the third ODI at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. The Kangaroos lead the series 2-0 at the moment and this is a must-win game for South Africa to avoid a series loss at home. The match is expected to start at 4:30 PM IST, 13:00 Local Time on September 12.

South Africa have been under par with their performance so far in the series. Firstly, they were whitewashed in the T20I series and that was followed by a couple of loses in the ODI series. It is very important for Temba Bavuma and co. to bounce back in this one.

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On the other hand, Australia have been superlative across formats under the captaincy of Mitchell Marsh. The last game saw David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne notch up centuries on a winning cause. The caravan moves to Potchefstroom from Bloemfontein and it is yet to be seen whether the domination continues for the visitors or not.


SA vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Venue Analysis 

The venue has seen 43 ODIs played where the team batting first has won 19 matches while the team bowling first has been victorious on 21 occasions. The average first innings total is 232 while it reduces by 50 runs if batted second. However, the records as per the recent couple of ODIs are contradictory. It suggests the team batting second chased down totals with ease. The surface is expected to have variable bounce and it is likely to be more suited to pacers than spinners. The batters have to take their time to settle and then accelerate.


SA vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Toss Factor

The toss is definitely going to be a crucial factor in this game. It is better to bowl first, take the new ball and make the most out of the variable bounce off the surface. Batters from second innings can be crucial or few batters who shall face the new hard new ball from either sides can be chosen.

Scenario: If SA wins the toss. 

If South Africa wins the toss, they may choose to bowl first. In that case, someone like Marco Jansen or Heinrich Klaasen could be a good captain or vice-captain pick. One may also chose Marnus Labuschagne who is a steady batter.

Scenario: If Aus wins the toss.

If the coin falls in favor of the visitors, Australia might opt to chase first, backing their batters to do the job. On this case, some one like Mitch Marsh, David Warner or Labuschagne can be a crucial pick.


SA vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Top Captain and Vice-captain choices

If South Africa bats first 

Heinrich Klaasen (SA)

The wicketkeeper-batter has recently piled up two centuries. One came in the 2023 Indian Premier League for the Sunrisers Hyderabad while the other came in the 2023 Major League Cricket for the Seattle Orcas. He was also brilliant in the last game but fell out of luck, getting dismissed for one run shy of a fifty. Klaasen is a terrific player of spin and pace and can turn up the heat on his will.

Mitchell Marsh (AUS)

The Australian interim skipper has been brilliant in recent times with the willow in hand. He was the player of the series in the recently concluded T20I series. Marsh is batting at no. 3 now and it gives him good amount of balls to get set and take the aggressor's role. 


If Australia bats first

Marnus Labuschagne (AUS)

The South Africa-born cricketer loves to bat in the nation where he spent his childhood. He came in as a concussion substitute for Cameron Green in the first ODI and struck a match-winning knock and revived his nation from a tricky situation. The right-handed batter followed it up by a stupendous century in the second ODI that came in a winning cause.

David Warner (AUS)

The left-handed batter shut up his critics and justified his place in the Australian men's side. Warner scored a  sizzling 106 off 93 balls to help his team power to 392 runs in 50 overs. The southpaw was sensible with the bat in hand and seemed to be getting his form back in ODIs just ahead of the mega-event that starts next month. 


SA vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Big Risk, Big Return Choice

Marco Jansen

The tall lanky pacer is one for the future of Protea Fire. He showed glimpses of grit and determination with the bat in the last couple of matches. But his primary role,- bowling hasn't been as good as he could've been.  The surface at Potchefstroom may be perfect for him to get the purchase and put the Aussie batters on the back foot.