 Not very long both Australia and South Africa were the most attractive
and powerful teams of the world, they are still dangerous for any opponent but
certainly they have lost their sharpness a bit especially Australia. To gain their
lost pride back they have been consistently trying hard, applying different plans,
experimenting with new players.
These two giants will be facing each other in two Twenty20 matches, three ODIs
and two test matches in South Africa. Their first clash starts with a Twenty20
international at Newlands, October 13 at 16:00 hours GMT.
Click for Live Score Card of South Africa Vs Australia
South Africa have appointed a new coach, their legendary batman Gary Kirstein
who has brought World Cup Trophy for Team India, with a hope to achieve something
special for his country.
Australia tour of South Africa is his first assignment for his country. He
has picked up a new youngster, Richard Levi, opener of Cape Cobras who had a
pretty good performance in the Champions League Twenty20 2011. South Africa
will be lead by newly appointed captain Hashim Amla as well.
In fact, he will be leading both in Twenty20s and ODIs as AB de Villiers has
been ruled out due to his injury. Heino Kuhn will be behind the wicket who can
bat very well, perfectly suited for Twenty20 format. In Twenty20 matches South
Africa have rested some senior players like Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn
because they are doing rotation of players.
Albie Morkel was picked up for the Twenty20 clashes for his big hitting reputation
but is injured. Their key players like Hashim Amla, Botha, Duminy, Levi, Morkel, Graeme Smith, Tsotsobe, Parnell and Peterson will be desperately trying
to win the inaugural match and get a lead.
The Australian side will be lead by Cameron White and his assistant
would be all rounder Shane Watson. Like South Africa they also have assigned
a new coach. He has included youngsters like Patrick Cummins, Mitchell Marsh
and James Pattinson.
Mitchell Marsh had an extra ordinary tour of Zimbabwe with "Australia A"
team that is why he has been picked and Cummins also had a good performance in
the Champions League Twenty20 2011. Matthew wade will be behind the wicket as
Haddin has surprisingly declared his retirement from Twenty20 international.
Doug Bollinger will be playing instead of Mitchell Johnson and they
have included Mitchell Marsh who has been recently expressed his excitement
for this opportunity. Unfortunately fast bowler Brett Lee has to miss the whole
tournament as has been diagnosed with appendicitis. This is surely a bad news
for Australia. Either Peter Siddle or Ryan Harris might get a chance.
Both these teams will be trying to get a win in the very first match of the
tournament. Beating South Africa at their home must be an enormous task
for any team, though it is not impossible because Twenty20 match is very much
unpredictable. To get a win both teams must play their level best. This encounter
is expected to be a doorway to an exciting tournament.
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