World Cup rivals clash again – but it’s Australia under pressure

Is there a more storied World Cup rivalry than South Africa versus Australia?It’s hard to argue against. In ESPNCricinfo’s top 20 Greatest ODIs, two of the top three matches were played between South Africa and Australia.South Africa were on the wrong side of history in all three of those encounters. But they exacted revenge four years ago in another famous World Cup game in Manchester.Having had a woeful 2019 campaign and missed the semi-finals, South Africa still played a huge part in shaping the outcome of the tournament by beating Australia in a high-scoring thriller to flip the semi-final matchups that would eventually produce the England-New Zealand final.While the history has fans salivating, the 2023 teams are sick of the sight of each other. This will be the sixth ODI played between South Africa and Australia in just over a month, not to mention the three T20Is played just prior to last month’s five-match ODI series in South Africa.Australia did not show all their cards on that tour with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell all missing.Regardless, it was a series where South Africa found some irresistible form that they have carried to the opening game of the World Cup, while Australia’s wobbles have continued since blowing a 2-0 series lead in the Highveld. They have lost six of their last seven ODIs including the World Cup opener in Chennai.South Africa’s batters are in dazzling form after piling up 428 against Sri Lanka, with Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram all blazing centuries.It is the same form they found against Australia where they made scores of 338, 416 and 315.Meanwhile, Australia’s woes have continued with both bat and ball, despite the return of key personnel. In Chennai against India, the middle order collapsed from 110/2 to 199 all out, just as they had done regularly in South Africa. In Potchefstroom, they were 140/1 in the 15th over chasing 338 and were bowled out for 227 with Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi sparking the collapse.South Africa did not play two spinners in Delhi against Sri Lanka, but they would have noted the success of India’s three spinners against Australia in Chennai.Lucknow as a surface is a complete unknown for both teams, however both are well aware of the recent dramas surrounding the re-laid strip and the way it played during the IPL this year.FORM GUIDEAustralia LWLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)South Africa WWWWL– Cricinfo

World Cup rivals clash again – but it’s Australia under pressure

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World Cup rivals clash again – but it’s Australia under pressure

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