ICC 2011 World Cup warm-ups: Australia vs. South Africa - Match Preview
The Australian line-up, after capitulating against Indian spinners, would be eager to prove its mettle when they take on South Africa in an evenly-matched practice game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore today.
Australia is coming off a 38-run defeat against India, while South Africa have crushed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 for an eight-wicket win in their first preparatory match.
Chasing a meager target of 215 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at the same ground on Sunday, the four-time reigning World Champions, after being in commanding position at 118 for 1, collapsed to 176.
None of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 batsman could resist the Indian spinners except captain, Ricky Ponting, who made a welcome return to form, scoring a half-century, after missing the seven-match One Day International (ODI) series against Ashes rivals,
England, due to a broken finger.
The Australian line-up, after collapsing against Indian spinners, Harbhajan Singh and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722.
Australia’s pace attack was also successful in the opening warm-up against India as the fast men shared seven of the 10 wickets amongst them with temperamental, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lee-c72382, leading from the front claiming 3 for 35 from his quota of 10 overs.
However, a tally of 25 runs gifted to Dhoni’s men by the bowlers in the form of extras must be a cause of concern for the 37-year-old Tasmanian skipper, eager to lift the coveted cricket trophy for the third time as Australian captain.
South Africa might rest fast bowler, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, in today’s game after the pacer injured his right knee during the first preparatory game against Zimbabwe. However, he did attend the practice session on Monday and the South Africa
coach, Corrie van Zyl, was hopeful Tsotsobe would be fit to play the warm-up against Australia.
"He has done work with the physio and practiced under guidance and we hope he will be ready for tomorrow", said van Zyl.
Van Zyl had also warned the Proteas against reading too much into the warm-up game as he said, "It's important for us to win in terms of getting ready for the 24th, which is when the real thing starts".
South Africa is expected to play all 15 players in the concluding warm-up match as the coach wants “to give everyone an opportunity".
Coming to the batting line-up of the Proteas, the only batsman battling injury concerns is the experienced all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who will be playing his fourth World Cup. Kallis has recently recovered from a rib injury and scored a
whirlwind 49 not out in the eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe. Whether the side risks him against Australia or not is yet to be seen, however, the coach hinted on Monday that the 35-year old might be rested.
"When he has had periods of rest, he always comes back so strongly, so we hope that will happen again. It's important that he is ready for the business end".
Squad:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 (vc), Brad Haddin (wk), Cameron White, Steven Smith, Callum Ferguson, John Hastings, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wk), Shaun Tait, Shane
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, Doug Bollinger
South Africa: Graeme Smith (c), Colin Ingram, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir, Morne Morkel,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe
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