Australia v South Africa cricket tips & predictions | First T20

Australia vs South Africa best bets

Australia vs South Africa match preview

Australia kick off their domestic cricket calendar this Sunday in Darwin as they begin their three-match T20 series against South Africa.

The Aussies have been on a tear with the white ball, as they come off a dominant 5-0 series victory in the West Indies. They were brutal with the bat, chasing down totals in every match, and coped just fine while resting their star pace bowlers.

On the other hand, South Africa come from a tri-series in Zimbabwe, where they beat the hosts twice but comfortably lost to New Zealand on three occasions.

This is the first-ever international T20 match being held at the Marrara Oval in Darwin, so pitch conditions are unknown. But the Aussies still hold the home advantage and are favourites for this clash at $1.44 with top online bookmakers.

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Australia team news

There are three key inclusions for the Aussies since their tour of the West Indies, with Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and Matt Short all joining the squad.

Expect Head to open the batting alongside captain Mitch Marsh, with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis continuing his role at number three. Cameron Green was player of the series in the West Indies, so expect him to remain at four, while Glenn Maxwell is expected to bat at five. Either Short or Mitch Owen will line up at six, ahead of the big-hitting Tim David at seven.

Expect Nathan Ellis and Josh Hazlewood to be certainties in the pace attack, joined by either Sean Abbott or Ben Dwarshuis. Meanwhile, Adam Zampa is likely to be the only spinner, with Matt Kuhnemann providing depth.

Australia’s predicted XI:

1. Travis Head
2. Mitch Marsh (c)
3. Josh Inglis (wk)
4. Cameron Green
5. Glenn Maxwell
6. Mitch Owen
7. Tim David
8. Sean Abbott
9. Nathan Ellis
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Adam Zampa

South Africa team news

While the Aussies have strengthened their squad with inclusions, South Africa are fielding a heavily rotated lineup, leaving Marco Jansen, Henrich Klaasen, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi at home.

However, captain Aiden Markram returns to the side and is tipped to bat at four, behind exciting opening pair Ryan Rickleton and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Rassie van der Dussen should be at three, while exciting youngster Dewald Brevis is tipped to bat at five. The lower order will have a mix of Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy.

Star pace duo Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi lead the bowling attack, with Kwena Maphaka and Nandre Burger in the wings. The spin attack includes Nqabayomzi Peter and the untried Prenelan Subrayen.

South Africa’s predicted XI:

1. Ryan Rickleton
2. Lhuan-dre Pretorius
3. Rassie van der Dussen
4. Aiden Markram
5. Dewald Brevis
6. Tristan Stubbs
7. George Linde
8. Senuran Muthusamy
9. Kagiso Rabada
10. Lungi Ngidi
11. Kwena Maphaka

Australia vs South Africa betting picks

Fielding a relatively inexperienced side, South Africa could struggle against this hard-hitting Australian team. The Aussies have won 12 of their last 13 T20 matches and hold the advantage of home conditions. Despite offering little value, they should be far too strong as $1.44 favourites with BetOnline.

With 278 runs at an average of 35 in his last 10 matches, Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis is one to watch. His mix of raw power and creativity makes him tough to contain, while he often has the benefit of the powerplay overs. With two fifties in his last four knocks, back the West Australian to pass 30 at $2.15 with leading cricket bookies.

On the South African side, keep an eye on Dewald Brevis. The 22-year-old has scored 133 runs at a strike rate of 187 in his last five innings, including three scores over 30. Despite batting down the order, Brevis will have an opportunity to score some runs and offers strong value to pass 30 at $2.65 with major T20 betting sites.

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