AUS vs RSA Match Preview
Australia's batting lineup is far superior to South Africa's, especially with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both hungry for runs! There is more depth and quality here for sure. In fact, picking any of South Africa's batters in the Dream11 lineup is going to be tough.
Kyle Verreynne and Rassie van der DUssen are the only two batters we think have the capability to put up some sort of a fight.
We think this match is going to be dominated by the fast bowlers once more and we will attempt to add as many as possible in our Dream11 lineups. Nathan Lyon is another bowler to consider because of his remarkable record at the MCG.
Weather Report
The weather forecast for Melbourne is excellent. There is a bit of rain expected on the first and third days but nothing that is going to take too much time out of the match.
Pitch Report
All indications are that the surface is going to be spicy one with the batters being made to work hard.
The fast bowlers will dominate and getting runs is not going to be easy. We don't see this contest going the full five days but we get to the fourth day in this one!
Notable stats
Warner vs Rabada
David Warner is having a bit of a horror run in Tests and he would not be happy facing Kagiso Rabada again. He has faced five deliveries from him so far, getting out twice and not scored a single run. Over his Test career, Rabada has gotten him out six times now.
Team News
We think South Africa will add another batter to their lineup, possibly Klaassen, in place of Lungi Ngidi. Australia will probably bring back Josh Hazelwood in place of Scot Boland in this match, as unfair as it may be.
AUS vs RSA Probable 11
AUS Playing 11
- David Warner
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Alex Carey (Wk)
- Cameron Green
- Pat Cummins (C)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazelwood
RSA Playing 11
- Dean Elgar (C)
- Sarel Erwee
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Temba Bavuma
- Khaya Zondo
- Kyle Verreynne (Wk)
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Anrich Nortje
- Lungi Ngidi
Dream11 Prediction
Australia has been very difficult to beat at home for the longest time. It is currently at full strength and extremely motivated to lock up a place in the WTC Finals. South Africa is batting poor form, issues with team balance, and is simply not as strong as when it has won against Australia in the past.
We think Australia is going to dominate South Africa once more and is likely to win.
Top Picks
Mitchell Starc - Starc is returning to the top of his game and we think he could be in line for some Boxing Day glory. His now bringing the ball back into the right-handers and should be able to pick off the South African batters.
Rassie van der Dussen - He is our differentiator in the Dream11 lineup. He is quite low-owned right now and his recent form has not been encouraging. He is without a doubt, though, a Test quality player with the talent to score big runs.
Pat Cummins - The fast bowlers could end up dominating this Test match and Pat Cummins just has a happy knack for picking up wickets. He is also capable of contributing some available runs with the bat. He is our pick for the captain.
AUS vs RSA Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: A Carey, K Verreynne
Batters: S Smith, R van der-Dussen, M Labuschagne
All-rounders: T Head
Bowlers: M Starc (VC), N Lyon, P Cummins (C), K Rabada, A Nortje
