Champions Trophy 2025: Australia vs South Africa—Match 7 Preview
Date: 24th February 2025
Venue: Rawalpindi
Team Overview:
- Australia:
- In their previous match, Australia defeated England in a high-scoring thriller in Lahore.
- Josh Inglis played a match-winning knock, while other batters also contributed significantly to help Australia secure the win.
- Australia is coming into this game with confidence after a strong performance in their last match.
- South Africa:
- South Africa triumphed over Afghanistan by a massive 107-run margin in their opening game.
- The Proteas displayed dominance in all departments, showcasing their ruthless edge to start the tournament strong.
Probable Playing XIs:
- Australia:
- Matthew Short
- Travis Head
- Steve Smith (C)
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Josh Inglis (WK)
- Alex Carey
- Glenn Maxwell
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Nathan Ellis
- Adam Zampa
- Spencer Johnson
- South Africa:
- Ryan Rickelton (WK)
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Wiaan Mulder
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions:
- Pitch:
- The pitch at Rawalpindi is expected to be flat, providing an ideal surface for batters.
- With powerful batting lineups from both teams, a high-scoring game is anticipated.
- Bowlers may only get some movement with the new ball, but otherwise, they will face a tough challenge.
- The team winning the toss may choose to field first, with a target of around 380 considered competitive.
- Weather:
- The forecast suggests a temperature around 16°C, with mostly cloudy skies and no rain threat.
Top Player Picks for AUS vs. SA Dream11 Prediction:
- Steve Smith (AUS):
- Batting at No. 3, Smith is one of the most reliable batters.
- With 733 runs at an average of 38.57 in 21 ODI innings against South Africa, including four fifties and two centuries, he is a top fantasy pick.
- Josh Inglis (AUS):
- English is in outstanding form and can dominate on a flat track like Rawalpindi.
- After an unbeaten 120 in the previous game, he is likely to continue his strong performances.
- Rassie van der Dussen (SA):
- One of South Africa’s most consistent batters, van der Dussen, scored 52 against Afghanistan in the last match.
- He has 244 runs against Australia in ODIs, averaging 34.85, making him a top pick.
Top Captaincy and Vice-Captaincy Picks for AUS vs. SA Dream11 Prediction:
- Travis Head (AUS):
- Head, who opens the innings for Australia, has an impressive record against South Africa, with 368 runs in 13 ODI innings at an average of 30.66.
- His aggressive style of play suits Rawalpindi’s flat surface, making him a strong captaincy option.
- Ryan Rickelton (SA):
- Rickelton is in top form and has been a standout performer for South Africa in 2025.
- After scoring 103 runs against Afghanistan, he can again shine on a flat surface, making him a viable captaincy pick.
- Marco Jansen (SA):
- Jansen is a key all-rounder for South Africa, contributing with both bat and ball.
- With 160 runs and 10 wickets against Australia in ODIs, Jansen is a popular captaincy choice, offering significant fantasy value.
Player to Avoid:
- Keshav Maharaj (SA):
- Maharaj may not be as effective on a flat Rawalpindi pitch and therefore could be avoided for this match.
Grand League Team for AUS vs. SA Dream11 Prediction:
- Match Outlook:
- This promises to be a closely contested match, with both teams equipped with quality players.
- While both teams will enjoy the batting-friendly conditions, South Africa’s slightly superior bowling attack might give them an edge in this encounter.
- Fantasy Tips:
- For your fantasy team, ensure a balanced combination of powerful batters and all-rounders from both sides.
- Key picks include Josh Inglis, Rassie van der Dussen, and Marco Jansen for their strong all-around abilities.