Australia look to level series as another batting paradise awaits

It's South Africa vs Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. It's 2016 - 10 years since the epic run-chase at the venue. The 2006 contest has few challengers for its standard and quality in the 45-year-old history of One-Day Internationals. However, if there was anything that could have served as an apt prelude to the second ODI on Sunday (October 2), Quinton de Kock offered that with an attacking display of batting in Centurion.

After Australia squandered a golden chance on a batting belter at the SuperSport Park, the South African batsmen, led by the 23-year-old southpaw gave ample reasons as to why bums should settle on the lawns and seats of the stadium when a 50-over cricket match is being played.

Even as South Africa outplayed Australia in all aspects of the game in the first game, on paper, there is very little separating the two sides, barring the stark inexperience in the Australian bowling unit. The main difference between the two sides, however, was executing the strategies well, which one did right, while the other faltered.

Although Australia have a relatively inexperienced bowling attack, they are familiar to bowling in similar conditions. South Africa have an edge in this department. Apart from the experience of Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir, they have two in-form pacers in Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehlukwayo, who picked up four wickets in the opening match. Any one of the four is capable enough to turn the course of the game in South Africa's favour.

On the batting front, the tourists enjoy an upper hand. They have a line-up filled with power hitters, starting from their opening duo of David Warner and Aaron Finch. George Bailey and Steve Smith add a bit of stability to the middle order, with the likes of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade to follow. John Hastings and Adam Zampa may be capable with the willow, but they neither offer the kind of assurance nor power-hitting that James Faulkner does. Thus, it becomes imperative for them not to lose too many early wickets.

South Africa, on the other hand, may be in a fix if Hashim Amla comes into the side. Farhaan Behardien may be most likely to sit out of the Playing XI, but the right-hander's inclusion may also tempt the team management to partner him with de Kock at the top. This could mean pushing Rilee Rossouw from the opening position, a spot from where he has enjoyed fair bit of success.

The conditions are not going to be too different in Johannesburg. If at all it is, it will be easier for the batsmen to unleash their attacking game. And on a pitch where one aspect of the game (batting) overpowers the other (bowling) to a great extent, a lot will depend on how well the plans work out when a side is fielding.

When: South Africa vs Australia, 2nd ODI, 10:00 AM LOCAL (1:30 PM IST)

Where: New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

What to expect: It is expected to be sunny with temperature hovering around 25 degree Celsius. Perfect conditions for a good day of cricket.

Team news:

South Africa: Hashim Amla is likely to return to the side. His inclusion could mean Farhaan Behardien will have to sit out.

Australia: They probably will field the same side from the first ODI.

What they said:

"It's incredible and you also have to understand that these games are making batting look so easy. Winning by 9 wickets is much better than winning with 5 or 6. Australia is a good team and to put some pressure on them is amazing. We gotta get back to the basics and do it all over again." - Faf du Plessis.

"Probably a 370-380 wicket if you look at it now. The guys should have gone onto make a big score like Quinton did. He played a magnificent knock. We gotta turn around in two days time. We were a little bit too wide and too short more often than not. We lost wickets in clusters which hindered our momentum." - Steve Smith.

Teams (from):

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.

Australia: Steve Smith (capt), George Bailey, Scott Boland, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.