South Africa will go up against five-time world champions Australia in the second semifinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday. Both teams will be expected to make a few changes since their last league matches.
For Pat Cummins-led Australia, with Glenn Maxwell returning to the side, only one out of Marnus Labuschagne or Marcus Stoinis will be able to play with the former having the edge as the Aussies look to bolster their batting line-up. South Africa, on the other hand, are fretting over the fitness of their skipper Temba Bavuma who is struggling with a hamstring injury. If Bavuma fails to get fit then Aiden Markram will be expected to lead the side.
All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo may be in line to replace to Marco Jansen, who has conceded over 90 runs twice in the World Cup 2023 so far. Tabraiz Shamsi could also return to side to replace Gerald Coetzee on what could be a turning pitch in Kolkata.
“If it is up to me, I’m definitely playing our two front line spinners. Obviously, Keshav and Shamsi. We obviously have Aiden (Markram) as well, who also gives us an option there. Then I think it’s just finalising in terms of the three seamers, who that may be. But I mean, like you say, conditions, opposition as well, really give that as an option for us,” Bavuma said in the pre-match press conference.
On his own fitness, Bavuma said, “Physically I feel alright. Obviously not 100%. So obviously this day becomes important in terms of decision about tomorrow. I’m quite confident, but I mean, it’s not a unilateral decision that will be made. In a state of mind, obviously a bit nervous of the game. It will be our first semi-final and as a team. But I think the feeling is no different I guess from any game that we’ve encountered within the World Cup.”
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date & Time: November 16, 2pm IST onwards
Live Streaming and TV details: Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar website and app
Wicketkeeper: Quinton de Kock
Batters: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh
All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram
Bowlers: Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc
Captain: Quinton de Kock
Vice-captain: Adam Zampa
Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c)/Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen/Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi/Gerald Coetzee, Tabraiz Shamsi