Five-time champions will aim to bounce back from a demoralizing loss to India when they face high-flying South Africa
LUCKNOW: After a stinging six-wicket defeat at the hands of hosts India, Australia will look forward to putting up a better performance as they face an upbeat South Africa in their second World Cup match at the Ekana Stadium here on Thursday.
Though the Proteas have a psychological edge after outplaying Sri Lanka in their opening game with a record-breaking performance, Australia will also go all out to give a better batting performance with a rejigged playing eleven as another setback could come as a major jolt to their campaign.
The five-time champions hardly played their opening match against India like champs and will have to get their act together to get the better of the in-form South African team.
Against India, the Aussies lacked aggression in batting. Save David Warner and Steve Smith, no one could cross the 30-run mark. They also had a tough time against India's spin attack on a slow Chepauk turner.
On the contrary, the Proteas are heading into the contest on a high after thrashing Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their opener.
Stoinis to replace Green?
Injuries have been the biggest setback for the Aussies with two of their mainstays, Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis, being unfit for the first game. Stoinis, in particular, is very crucial for the Australians as he has played a few IPL games at Lucknow's Ekana stadium.
Stoinis has recovered from his hamstring injury and is set to replace Cameron Green. He will help Australia's famed three-pronged pace attack by Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to cause maximum damage to the opponents.
South African team will bank on the trio of centurions who decimated Sri Lanka during their first game. Quinton de Kock, who also plays for LSG in the IPL and his understanding of the surface will also come in handy for the team.
Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram, who scored the fastest-ever ton in the World Cup, can also change the course of any game.
After drawing flak during the IPL, the wicket at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has been re-laid. If it aids spinners, South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi can be dangerous if he gets a game.
The Proteas have a very dangerous batting lineup in van der Dussen, the big-hitters David Miller, de Kock, Henrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram. It will be a tough ask for the Aussies to contain these marauders.
Both the teams will hope that the pitch is a sporting one on which runs would flow freely.
