Reigning ODI World Cup winners Australia take on South Africa in a Champions Trophy Group B league match in Rawalpindi which will decide at least one semifinal spot from the group.
With both South Africa and Australia securing dominant wins in their opening matches, Tuesday's encounter promises to be a crucial battle in shaping the standings in the group.
Despite missing five key players, Australia chased down a massive total against England, overhauling a daunting 352-run target in Lahore to win by five wickets.
South Africa, on the other hand, flexed their muscles against Afghanistan in Karachi, cruising to a comprehensive 107-run victory. Both sides will now look to maintain the momentum and consolidate their position in the race for the semifinals.
Australia are without several members of their 2023 World Cup-winning squad with regular skipper Pat Cummins, pace spearheads Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and allrounder Mitchell Marsh missing from the tournament due to injuries while Marcus Stoinis announced his retirement, further thinning Australia's resources.
But despite this, Australia found an unlikely match-winner in wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who struck a blistering century to help them ace the massive chase.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith along with Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, and Josh Inglis will hold the key in batting while Ben Dwarshuis impressed on his debut and could once again be pivotal in the absence of seasoned pacers.
Wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey admitted the bowling unit is inexperienced but said they have guys like Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell, and Steve Smith to contribute with their spin bowling.
"Look it's an inexperienced bowling attack; there's no hiding away from that. In and around that we've got some experience with our leg spinner Adam Zampa. We've got Glenn Maxwell who's really smart with how he bowls. And we've got Steve Smith who's a fantastic captain," he said.
I think if we are to bat first throughout the tournament, I'll back our boys to defend. Hopefully a good score of 300 plus, but if not, Nathan Ellis has got a lot of tricks, got a lot of good slow balls. Spencer Johnson's really damaging up the top, left arm seamer and so has Ben Dwarshuis, and you've got Sean Abbott ready to go as well so we've come into this tournament really confident that our bowling attack will still do a fantastic job without the big three..
The Rawalpindi pitch is expected to favour stroke-makers, making it an ideal setting for Australia’s aggressive approach. But South Africa will not be a pushover.
The Proteas’ dominant display against Afghanistan underlined their title credentials, with Ryan Rickelton emerging as the standout performer.
The young opener struck a century and along with Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram will lead the batting. However, Marco Jensen remains a doubtful starter due to an elbow injury. South Africa's pace attack looks better with Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi while Keshav Maharaj is among the best spinners in the game.
Despite Australia's depleted attack, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said they would be dangerous in the field.
I mean any Australian outfit that comes together for an ICC event is always one that you don't take lightly. Yes, they don't have, I guess, their mainstay bowling attack, but I think they still have enough to be successful as a team. Their batting maybe it could be a case of their batters maybe doing a little bit more than what they're accustomed to - so I think like with any team there are opportunities within the bowling and I think if that presents itself on the day we'll definitely be looking to make use of that opportunity. But in saying that we definitely won't be taking them lightly.
Dew might be a factor under lights, which could tempt the captain to win the toss to bowl first and take advantage of improved chasing conditions later in the game.
Recent ODI matches at the venue have seen high scores and successful chases, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
Australia and South Africa share a fierce rivalry in the 50-over format, with the Proteas holding a slight edge in their ODI battles. In 110 matches between the two sides, South Africa have won 55, while Australia have emerged victorious on 51 occasions. Three matches have ended in ties, and one had no result.
Squads:
Australia: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka.
