South Africa's big bowling test against the Australians
| Date | February 25, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Travis Head has odds of 3.60 to be Australia's best batsman
- Heinrich Klaasen has odds of 3.90 to be South Africa's best batsman
- Adam Zampa has odds of 3.25 to be Australia's best bowler
- Kagiso Rabada has odds of 3.00 to be South Africa's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
It has been an exciting start to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and we have seen close contests. The Australians will take on the South Africans in the 7th game as both teams look to book a berth in the next round. The Australians will be confident after their thrilling win against England in the last game. The world champions batted brilliantly in that game and shall start this one with higher odds. The South Africans were clinical in their opening game against Afghanistan, registering a big win. However, they will face a stiffer challenge in this game and must be on their toes. Both teams have their batsmen in good form, and we expect to see a thrilling contest on a flat wicket.
Australia Preview
Steven Smith and his men have started the tournament with a magnificent win against England. In a high-scoring contest, where the Australians looked down and out, they made a strong comeback to win the game by 5 wickets. The side has improved its odds on cricket betting apps. Smith would expect a better show from his bowlers in this game after they struggled in the last game.
Mattew Short batted well in the last game and will look to provide an aggressive start to this game with Travis Head. Steven Smith missed out in the last game and will look to build partnerships in the middle order with Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis, who played a match-winning knock in the last game. Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell are in good form and add firepower to the Australians' batting.
The bowling attack struggled in the absence of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis must strike with the new ball to put the team in a strong position. Adam Zampa will enjoy bowling in these conditions and look to do well in the middle overs with Nathan Ellis. Maxwell, Labuschagne, and Matthew Short add depth to the bowling attack.
Expected Starting XI for Australia
Steven Smith (c), Matthew Short, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
South Africa Preview
It has been a confident start to the tournament for Temba Bavuma's team. They defeated Afghanistan in a one-sided contest by 107 runs. The batting lineup looked good, and the bowlers executed their plans brilliantly in the last game. However, the side will face a tougher challenge against the Australians and start low on cricket betting sites. Bavuma expects a strong show from his bowlers as the Aussies have a destructive batting lineup.
Ryan Rickelton played brilliantly for his hundred in the last game and shall look to deliver a good start with Tony de Zorzi. Temba Bavuma must improve his strike rate in the middle order and build partnerships with Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram. David Miller and Marco Jansen are good finishers, and the team expects a strong show from them in the lower middle order.
The bowling attack will be under pressure after Australia's performance in the last game against England. The team needs Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi to pick early wickets and put the Aussies under pressure. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj are the team's key bowlers and will look to keep the scoring rate under check. The team also expects a good show from Tabraiz Shamsi and Markram in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
TOSS: To Bowl First
The track at Rawalpindi assists fast bowlers at the start, but the batting conditions ease as the game progresses. Dew will be an important factor at the toss, as bowling in the second half poses a challenge. The side winning the toss would look to take advantage of the conditions by bowling first.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rawalpindi will have clear skies on February 25, and the weather shall remain hot and humid. The surface will be flat, and batsmen can easily play their strokes. There is little margin of error for the bowlers, and the side batting first will need 320 runs on the board to feel safe on this wicket.
OUR PREDICTION
The South Africans have done well in the first game and have dominated the Australians in the last few matches. But they will know Australia's fighting form in big ICC events. The bowling attack has a key role for the team, and their performance will determine the game's outcome. The Australians will be confident after their big win against England. They have a stronger batting lineup, putting them ahead in this contest.
Our prediction is for Australia to win
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