South Africa and Australia will play in the second semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023. The spotlight is on the clash between these two cricket giants, set to unfold at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match will kick off at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time on November 16, 2023.

Preview of SA vs AUS ODI in ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023

South Africa is up against Australia, which seems to be the rematch of the 1999 World Cup edition. The South African team led by Temba Bavuma has been impressive, winning seven out of nine games in the tournament. Their only losses were against India and, surprisingly, the Netherlands. The South African team has a strong batting lineup in this World Cup, evident in their dominant performance against Sri Lanka, where they set the highest score of 428 in the World Cup.

Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and especially Quinton de Kock are in excellent form in the current ODI tournament. Quinton de Kock, who appears to be in his last ODI World Cup, has been notably outstanding, accumulating a total of 591 runs during the group stage. However, there's uncertainty about their captain, Bavuma, as he is doubtful to start due to a hamstring injury sustained in the match against Afghanistan.

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In terms of fast bowlers, South Africa hasn't felt the absence of the injured Anrich Nortje much. Players like Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada have given their best. Coetzee, in particular, has been impressive, taking 18 wickets in the group stage of the tournament. Jansen, who also contributes with the bat, has secured 17 wickets. The upcoming match at Eden Gardens, renowned for aiding both pacers and batters, promises to be an exciting viewing experience.

In contrast, Australia experienced a slow start in the World Cup. They faced setbacks with consecutive losses to India and South Africa, impacting their early standing. Nevertheless, the Australian team quickly recovered, securing wins against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Key players like David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head have been making significant contributions with the bat. Notable moments include Maxwell's explosive 201-run performance against Afghanistan and Marsh's impressive 177-run innings against Bangladesh.

Although Mitchell Starc hasn't been taking many wickets, Adam Zampa has been a standout performer for Australia, with an impressive haul of 22 wickets in the World Cup group stage. This incredible performance put them in the favorite position in the World Cup. The Australian team is eager to turn the tables and avenge their 134-run loss against South Africa in match 10 of the ongoing tournament.

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South Africa vs Australia Head to Head in ODI

In the 109 head-to-head ODI matches between South Africa and Australia, South Africa holds the edge. They have secured victory 55 times, while Australia has won 50 times. Interestingly, three matches, including a World Cup semifinal, concluded in a tie, and one match had no result. Out of South Africa's 55 wins, 27 came while batting first and 28 while chasing. On the other hand, Australia achieved 17 victories when chasing and 33 when setting a target. It sets the stage for a closely contested match, given the history of competition between these two cricketing powerhouses.

In the history of the ODI World Cup, South Africa and Australia have faced each other seven times. Their record is evenly matched, with both teams securing three victories each. Notably, their encounter in the 1999 semi final ended in a tie, adding a dramatic chapter to their World Cup history.

Table: South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far

Predicted South Africa XI

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.

Predicted Australia XI

Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne/Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.

Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis

Key South African Players to Watch

Quinton de Kock

Undoubtedly, all attention will be on Quinton de Kock in the semifinals. As of the end of the group stage, he stands as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition, scoring an impressive 591 runs with an average of 65.66. De Kock has been in exceptional form, hitting four centuries in this edition. The team would certainly appreciate it if he could add one more to his tally in the upcoming match. His performance will likely play a crucial role in determining South Africa's success in the semifinals.

Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen is a hard hitter who makes a significant impact, showcasing a striking rate of 140.51 in this competition. He particularly excels when facing spinners and could be the one to challenge the in-form Adam Zampa. Given his proficiency in facing spin bowling, Klaasen emerges as a player to watch closely, and his performance may have a crucial impact in the upcoming match.

Kagiso Rabada

South Africa's bowling is strong and balanced, thanks to the reliable Kagiso Rabada. He's an experienced and dependable fast bowler who grabbed 29 wickets against Australia with an average of 24.96. Rabada's skill and know-how make him a key player in South Africa's bowling lineup, and he'll be crucial in the upcoming match against Australia.

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Key Australian Players to Watch

David Warner

The Australian batting lineup is packed with powerful hitters, and this strength extends deep into the order. David Warner, in particular, has consistently performed well throughout the tournament, scoring a total of 499 runs at an impressive average of 55.44. His contributions with the bat have been crucial, and he will likely play a key role in the upcoming match.

Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh recently delivered a remarkable unbeaten innings of 177 runs from 132 balls against Bangladesh. His outstanding performance played a pivotal role in Australia successfully chasing a target of 307 with nearly six overs to spare. Marsh's impactful contribution adds another layer of strength to the Australian team as they head into the upcoming match.

Adam Zampa

Australia's bowling hasn't been particularly impressive, except for Adam Zampa's outstanding performance. The leg-spinner is leading the bowling charts in this World Cup, having taken an impressive 22 wickets at an average of 18.90. Zampa's remarkable form has been a standout for Australia in the tournament.

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Final Words

Australia and South Africa have a rich history of rivalry, filled with memorable contests, and this upcoming match promises to be another thrilling encounter. The last time these teams faced off in the tournament, South Africa dominated, winning by 134 runs. However, a lot has changed since then, and it's unlikely we'll see a repeat of that result. Australia enters the knockout stage with confidence, riding on a winning streak, and they are known to be tough opponents in such high-pressure situations. Considering Australia's current form, they are likely to come out on top in this contest in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023.

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