Moneyball9 Fantasy Tips: 3rd ODI - Australia vs South Africa
With West Indies and Australia winning a game each, the pressure is firmly on South Africa very early in this tournament and a loss again on Tuesday will make things trickier for them. They wouldn’t want to enter into that territory and will be looking to get one over their old nemesis Australia. The Proteas will be looking at their big guns to step up in this crucial tie. Here’s an analysis of how you must line up your fantasy team for the big clash:
Batsmen:
With the kind of David Warner has been in, it will be a crime to not pick him in your side. Fresh after scoring more than 800 runs in the IPL, Warner went on to score an unbeaten half-century in his side’s opener against hosts West Indies. He anchored the chase to perfection and could yet again start off on a decent note against the Proteas. Finch is quite expensive and isn’t very reliable either so it is better to wait a little longer and see how he goes on in this tournament before picking him.
Usman Khawaja was given an opportunity in the first game and could get another but again, it is better to access how he goes about his business. Hashim Amla failed to fire in the first game but considering his ODI record across the world, you would expect him to strike back this time. How about Faf du Plessis? He will likely sit out once again and with Rilee Rossouw getting some runs against the Windies in the series opener, he will get another go at No. 3 and considering he will cost only 5500 bucks, users can get him in their team.
Wicket-keeper batsman:
South Africa did struggle against spin in the first game and with Australia’s spinners Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa having a great outing against the hosts, the Proteas will be looking to get going before those two come into the attack. De Kock could get settled in by the time they come in and if it does happen, he could make a great impact.
AB de Villiers on the other hand, could get struck at the other end if another collapse happens in this game. Even though AB would be the normal choice but with the spin threat looming large in the middle overs, it will be safer to go with De Kock and he will also save some money to be used in the other departments.
All-rounder:
There are four contenders for this spot. You have the three Australian all-rounders Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh and then the South African Chris Morris. Out of these three, we haven’t seen much of the Australian all-rounders in the first game to get an idea since the Aussies made short work of the hosts.
Chris Morris on the other hand has suddenly become a very vital cog in the South African lineup and could again have a major impact in this huge clash. Ironically, he is also the cheapest player among the four and that should make your choice easier unless you want to take a gamble on Maxwell exploding.
Bowlers:
Considering the impact spin has had in the tournament so far, it is better to stock your side with slow bowlers as they could make a telling impact. South Africa also struggled in the first game and that should give confidence to a pair of spinners who were ruling the roost in their side’s first game. Both Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa can be picked in the team and from South Africa’s perspective, the leggie Imran Tahir can be considered in these conditions especially with Australia having plenty of right-handers in their side.
But if the Proteas do throw in a surprise by including Tabraiz Shamsi, he can definitely be picked. Not only he will cost lesser but also can prove to be a surprise element and end up picking loads of wickets since the Aussies haven’t seen much of him. That can also help you save money and pick de Villiers instead of De Kock if you want.
Among the pacers, only Mitchell Starc looks like the biggest threat when it comes to filling up your wickets column in these surfaces. He is always a threat irrespective of the surface and he should make it to your team as well.
Our ideal team: David Warner, Hashim Amla, Rilee Rossouw, Quinton de Kock, Chris Morris, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon and Imran Tahir.
DISCLAIMER: The article just contains suggestions and Sportskeeda are not responsible or liable for the outcome.