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Australia vs South Africa predictions
- Aiden Markam to score over 33.5 runs – 1/1 Unibet
- Adam Zampa to take three or more wickets – 12/5 bet365
- South Africa to score the most sixes – 5/4 William Hill
Australia and South Africa face off for a place in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final at Eden Gardens on Sunday (8.30am, Sky Sports Main Event).
The Aussies bounced back after losing their opening two games of the tournament to India and South Africa, reeling off seven straight wins to reach the semi-final.
Australia are the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles to their name. They are a team that no side will relish playing, especially the Proteas given their past World Cup experiences.
South Africa have played Australia twice in the semi-finals and lost on both occasions, including their infamous last-ball defeat in the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
In total, the Proteas have lost all four matches at this stage of the competition, failing to reach the final.
However, Temba Bavuma and his team proved that they can beat the Aussies, hammering Pat Cummins’ men in their second game of the tournament and previously recording a 3-2 win in a bilateral series ahead of the World Cup.
It will be a tense affair and UK bookmakers are siding with history by installing the Aussies as the favourites for the contest.
But, this South Africa team has a chance to show they can banish the demons that have haunted their predecessors. Here are our Australia vs South Africa predictions.
Markram to provide foundation
South Africa have relied on the excellence of Quinton de Kock at the top of the order throughout the World Cup.
Only Virat Kohli scored more runs than the 30-year-old during the group stage, but the Proteas also had valuable contributions in the middle order from Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram.
Markram could be the key man during the middle overs of the South Africa innings due to his ability to play spin.
In the bilateral series before the World Cup, he scored a century and 93 in pressure games to allow South Africa to edge out the Aussies.
Markram has the all-around game to punish an Aussie attack that's been below par outside of Adam Zampa. Markram averages 44.66 in matches facing Australia, almost seven runs higher than his career mark.
He scored an important 44-ball knock of 56 in the group game, which took the Proteas beyond 300 and proved too much for Australia to chase.
Markram’s over/under run line has been set at 33.5 at Unibet, and with our first Australia vs South Africa prediction, we’re backing the over at 1/1.
Australia vs South Africa Tip 1: Aiden Markam to score over 33.5 runs – 1/1 Unibet
Zampa will hold key for Australia
Zampa came into the World Cup under a cloud after enduring a difficult time in the series defeat to the Proteas.
The leg-spinner was dispatched for 113 from his 10 overs at Centurion, the most expensive figures in one-day cricket history alongside compatriot Mick Lewis.
However, he has bounced back superbly in the World Cup, even after a slow start in the defeats to India and South Africa.
In Australia’s seven-match winning run, Zampa claimed 21 wickets, including a spell of three for 21 against England.
No player took more wickets than the 31-year-old during the group stage, and he is the favourite in the Cricket World Cup odds to end the tournament as the top bowler.
Cummins has needed his leg-spinner to be on point as he himself has been off the boil along with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Zampa’s performance could dictate whether Australia advance or bow out of the World Cup, especially if he endures another difficult game.
Given that he has averaged three wickets per game since Australia’s defeat to the Proteas, we’re backing him to respond with our second Australia vs South Africa prediction.
We’re taking Zampa to strike three times or more at odds of 12/5 with bet365.
Australia vs South Africa Tip 2: Adam Zampa to take three or more wickets – 12/5 bet365
Who will score the most sixes?
The semi-final showdown is a battle between the two teams that have struck the most sixes at the World Cup.
South Africa blasted 91 maximums during the group stage, while Australia were not far behind with 85, although a hefty almost 12 per cent of those came in Glenn Maxwell’s incredible knock against Afghanistan.
The ability to clear the rope could make all the difference in the outcome of the contest given the fine margins between the teams.
South Africa have more hitters in their line-up compared to the Aussies as De Kock, Van der Dussen, Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Marco Jansen have all displayed their power.
Australia’s striking has been top-heavy through Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and David Warner, although Travis Head is also capable despite missing most of the tournament due to injury.
Klaasen struck 13 on his own against Australia at Centurion in an ODI ahead of the World Cup. He and the South Africa line-up may just have the measure of the Aussie attack, including their misfiring pace bowlers.
So, we’re using our final Australia vs South Africa prediction on South Africa to score more sixes in the game at 5/4 with William Hill.
Australia vs South Africa Tip 3: South Africa to score the most sixes – 5/4 William Hill
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
