Match Details:
Australia tour of South Africa 2011, 1st T20I: South Africa vs Australia at Cape Town, Oct 13, 2011.
Match scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT, 9:30 PM IST).
Preview & Prediction:
With The Proteas team to face Australia set to be announced later Today, we will certainly get a taste of how Gary Kirsten is going to take this team forward. I like the fact that he is looking at the young talent in South Africa; this has been something that past Proteas coaches have failed to do. But Gary isn't throwing out the old team at all, and he, I'm sure will try and get the best balance in, by blending youth and experience.
The first sign of Encouragement is that despite the injured AB de Villiers being ruled out of the T20 matches, South Africa have not panicked and gone the conservative route by asking Graeme Smith to captain the side but have rather gone with the in form Hashim Amla who will most likely bat at number 3 tomorrow evening.
Opening the batting will be none other than the Prolific Graeme Smith (who has a superb T20 record for those of you already sharpening your knives) and he will be joined by the Young Richard Levi, I honestly can't wait to see this lighty play. There is of course the fear that he might play a little too risky and lose his wicket early, we’ve seen both Collin Ingram and David Miller do this, he needs to keep his composure and along with Smith need to get SA off to a good start, maybe a 40 or 50 run partnership to lay the foundation.
It's a very thin batting line up but more than capable
I think we all know Smith will be in the team, so no use debating that; it will be interesting to see how he does because he has not played in months! Still a good batsmen any team would want
I’ve gone for Colin Ingram ahead of Miller, some might disagree and although Miller might be a bigger hitter, I prefer Ingram’s composure, especially since we are up against Australia
Heino Kuhn is my keeper and it's the logical choice given that AB is out.
I’ve also gone with two spinners in Botha and Petersen who are both also very reliable batsmen (think of that 4 Petersen smashed to beat India in the world cup)
And my three pace bowlers will be Theron, Morkel and Tsotsobe, I’ve left out Parnell in place of Tsotsobe, much more exciting player in my mind
