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South Africa and Australia will lock horns in the third and final ODI of their three-match series at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on September 30. The Proteas have already sealed the series 2-0 after winning the opening two games, but the final encounter still promises plenty of individual contests.
South Africa won the first ODI in Durban by 67 runs before producing another impressive performance in Johannesburg, where they secured a 32-run victory. The hosts have showcased different strengths across the two matches, with Keshav Maharaj starring with the ball in the opener and David Miller producing a sensational 142 in the second ODI.
Australia, meanwhile, will look to finish the series on a positive note. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head both scored 84 in the second ODI, while Jack Edwards made an immediate impact on debut with a five-wicket haul.
Here are 3 player battles to watch out for in 3rd ODI:
Travis Head versus Marco Jansen could be one of the most fascinating contests of the third ODI.
Head has been Australia’s primary attacking force at the top of the order. After scoring 36 in the first ODI, the left-hander found his rhythm in Johannesburg and made an aggressive 84 off 76 balls. His ability to take the game away during the powerplay makes him a crucial wicket for South Africa.
Jansen, meanwhile, offers South Africa a difficult combination of height, bounce and movement. The left-arm pacer has already made an impact with both bat and ball during the series and can challenge Australia’s top order with deliveries that rise sharply from a good length.
The contest will be particularly intriguing because both players are left-handed. Jansen will have to rely on his angle across Head and his ability to attack the stumps, while Head will look to disrupt the bowler’s rhythm by scoring aggressively through the off side and square of the wicket.
If Head survives the initial spell, Australia’s chances of building a substantial total could improve considerably. South Africa, therefore, will be keen to use Jansen effectively during the early overs.
Matthew Breetzke and Adam Zampa represent contrasting styles, making their battle another one to watch closely.
Breetzke has been one of South Africa’s standout batters during the series. He smashed a superb 112 in the opening ODI and followed it up with 34 in Johannesburg. His ability to score quickly while also building an innings has added considerable depth to the Proteas’ batting unit.
Zampa, on the other hand, remains Australia’s main middle-overs spin weapon. The leg-spinner has the ability to slow the scoring rate while creating wicket-taking opportunities with his variations.
For Breetzke, the challenge will be to avoid getting tied down against spin. Zampa will look to tempt him into attacking deliveries that are slightly wider or fuller, while Breetzke could attempt to use his feet and target the straight boundaries.
This battle could become particularly important if Breetzke arrives at the crease during the middle overs. Australia’s ability to control South Africa’s scoring rate during that phase could depend heavily on Zampa’s spell.
David Miller versus Josh Hazlewood is another contest that could shape the final ODI.
Miller has been in outstanding form throughout the series. After scoring only nine in Durban, the left-hander produced a breathtaking 142 off 93 balls in Johannesburg, including 12 fours and nine sixes. His innings helped South Africa post 365/9 and ultimately win the match by 32 runs.
Hazlewood will be tasked with finding a way to contain him if the two players meet during the middle or death overs. The Australian quick is renowned for his accuracy and ability to repeatedly hit challenging lengths. Against a batter as destructive as Miller, even a small lapse in line or length can prove costly.
Miller’s preferred approach is to attack anything in his hitting arc, particularly when bowlers miss their lengths. Hazlewood, therefore, will need to keep the ball away from the left-hander’s preferred hitting zones and use changes of pace intelligently when required.
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