South Africa vs Australia Prediction: South Africa has habit of choking

South Africa and Australia are going head to head in the second semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup at Eden Garden Stadium, Kolkata, India on 16 Nov 2023. South Africa has had a history of choking in ICC knockout games while Australia are on the hunt for the sixth World Cup. Who will join India in the finals at Ahmedabad? Who will win this game of cricket?

South Africa faced a couple of disheartening defeats in the group stage, but beyond those setbacks, their performance has displayed remarkable consistency, securing them the second spot in the semifinals, following India. The Proteas have historical World Cup exits at the hands of Australia, occurring in 1999 and 2007. However, armed with their current talent pool, they stand poised for potential revenge.

Quinton de Kock, who has declared his retirement post this World Cup, is showcasing aggressive form, accumulating four centuries in nine innings and ranking among the top three run-scorers. While Temba Bavuma has encountered struggles, it becomes pivotal for him to contribute significantly in the upcoming match.

The middle order of Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen has proven to be formidable, presenting South Africa with one of the most potent lineups in the series. The team also boasts quality all-rounders in Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo, capable of adding crucial runs in the death overs.

Gerald Coetzee has emerged as a standout discovery, amassing 18 wickets in just seven matches. He will receive support from the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi with the new ball. The bowling unit further features Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, both quality seamers in the squad.

Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee

Australia, the most successful team in the history of ODI World Cups, has secured a spot in the knockouts for the 9th time. Despite being eliminated by eventual champions England in the 2019 edition, they aim to deliver a triumphant performance in the current tournament.

With the exception of the initial two matches, Australia has displayed brilliance, particularly in their batting. Leading the charge is David Warner, their top run-scorer with an impressive tally of 499 runs. Warner, partnered with Travis Head, forms a dynamic opening pair, capable of providing Australia with a rapid start. Mitchell Marsh, showcasing excellent form, recorded an unbeaten 177 runs in the last match.

The prolific Glenn Maxwell, with two centuries in his last three innings, including a memorable double-century against Afghanistan, continues to play a pivotal role, especially in the death overs. In the bowling department, Adam Zampa stands as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 22 dismissals.

Australia's pace unit boasts world-class seamers in Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. While they may not have hit their peak form on this tour, their potential to be devastating with the new ball remains a significant threat.

David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Teams batting first have a marginal advantage at the Eden Gardens, securing victory in 31 out of 34 completed matches. In this World Cup, they have won 3 out of the 4 matches played. Consequently, it is anticipated that the team winning the toss will likely choose to bat first. Although the Eden Gardens traditionally features a slow pitch, the last two matches have witnessed an average first-inning score of around 330, a target the team batting first will aim for to exert pressure on the opposition. While the new ball provides some movement for the seamers, it is not overly alarming.

The pitch offers a good amount of pace and bounce, with spinners coming into play as the ball ages. Rain is forecasted in Kolkata throughout the day, possibly leading to interruptions. Both teams have followed similar paths in the tournament, making it challenging to identify a clear favourite. However, there is a slight inclination towards South Africa to emerge victorious in this match. The team's batsmen are in good form and have the potential to dominate the opposition. Additionally, South Africa possesses quality bowling options, providing them with a competitive edge. Place your bet on South Africa to win.