Just a couple of days after registering a thumping win over hosts South Africa, Australia surprisingly failed to chase down 159 in the second T20I despite one of their openers – David Warner – carrying the bat. The defeat did come as a surprise but the result also meant that the third T20I is a must-win affair for both the teams.
Interestingly, Australia’s previous T20I series defeat came against South Africa in 2018 when the visiting team won one-off T20I. They (Australia) haven’t lost a T20I series since then and will hope to keep the winning streak on.
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Conditions –
Expect both the team to score bib runs but spinners might play crucial role here. Hence, the focus will once again be on all-rounder Ashton Agar, who scalped a five-fer in the first T20I.
Here is the likely playing XI of both the teams –
South Africa:
The home team might give an extra rest to Dale Steyn to keep him fit for the ODI series. Temba Bavuma is not yet declared fit and will only be part of playing XI if he passes the fitness test. South Africa might bring in an extra spinner for the decider.
Likely playing XI: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, David miller, JJ Smuts, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz SHamsi
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Australia:
Australia could have made a couple of changes in the playing XI but with the third T20I being a must-win contest, expect them to go in with same playing XI for the third time in the series. D’Arcy Short is an all-round option available but there is no space to adjust him.
Likely playing XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson
My dream11 team for SA vs AUS 3rd T20I
David Warner (Captain), Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis (Vice-Captain), Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Dwaine Pretorius, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi