South Africa v Australia First T20I: Prediction & Best Bets

The Proteas are back in action when they take on Australia in the first of three T20Is on Wednesday at Kingsmead in Durban. Both teams have rested several players, with the upcoming ODI series and World Cup taking precedence. We have the best bets and a prediction for the first game of the series.

South Africa have rested key players in Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen while the visitors will be without the likes of Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith and David Warner and will be led by Mitchell Marsh.

Aiden Markram

Proteas’ captain Aiden Markram will be looking to lead from the front with a few key players missing. He wasn’t at his best in this year’s IPL campaign after a great start to the year, where he led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title. Markram is 34 runs away from registering 1000 T20I runs. He has scored more than 34 runs in each of his last two T20I innings.

He’s my pick to be the Proteas’ top batter in a very inexperienced side at 3.75.

Adam Zampa

Kingsmead is usually known as a low-scoring ground that offers the spinners some assistance. Zampa has a great T20I record as he is Australia’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 82 wickets, five of which came in Australia’s last T20I tour of South Africa. Back him to take over 1.5 wickets at 2.00.

Highest Individual Score

It’s been a while since both teams played T20I cricket which means some of the batters will be rusty. The average T20I score batting first in Durban is 133, so expect another low-scoring game. Go for the under when it comes to the highest individual score at 1.86.

Stats

The average T20I score batting first in Durban is 133, although the last season of the SA20 saw scores of 214 and 190 (as well as 80!).

Australia have a 14-8 win/loss record against South Africa in T20Is, including a 6-2 record in South Africa across the last decade.

Adam Zampa is Australia’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, with 82 wickets, five of which came in Australia’s last T20I tour of South Africa.

Spencer Johnson in the 2023 Hundred: 5/129 from 120 balls bowled.

Aiden Markram is 34 runs away from registering 1000 T20I runs. He has cleared 34 in each of his last two T20I innings.

Lungi Ngidi has gone wicketless in just four of his last 20 T20Is.

Nathan Ellis has taken a total of 15 wickets from his five career T20Is.

Prediction

Australia lead the head-to-head record in this rivalry, having won 14 T20 Internationals compared to eight by South Africa. The Aussies have a better bowling attack for this series as well as a stronger batting unit.