Time: March 23, 4:30 PM IST
Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Pitch Report
The SuperSport Park produced a high-scoring game last week. Although there were as many as five half-centurions, the wicket slowed down in the second innings. Spinners will play a crucial role.
Teams
Kyle Vereyyne’s batting position will depend on the toss result.
Probable XI for South Africa: Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Kyle Verreynne, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell/Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Rassie van der Dussen’s last five ODI scores read 129*, 37*, 52, 86, and 8*. He now has added another layer to his talent. In the previous game, he bowled at the international level for the first time and took 1 for 3. However, he only bowled an over as a fill up for Wayne Parnell.
Afif Hossain has been having a dream season. For a lower-middle order batter to average 43 is a commendable task. More importantly, both his half-centuries this year came when Bangladesh were in a precarious position. Given the wicket is on the slower side, his off-spinners too will come in handy. A multi-utility cricketer is often a delight in fantasy cricket.
After his spectacular 77 off 64 in the opening game, Shakib Al Hasan went for a duck at Johannesburg. He fell prey to a terrific delivery from Rabada, inducing a leading edge that flew straight to cover. For Bangladesh to create history, the No. 1 all-rounder in ODIs will have to put his best foot forward.
Quinton de Kock has scored 416 runs at 59 in 8 games, including a hundred and two fifties against Bangladesh. At Centurion, he has four hundreds in 10 games.
Smart Picks
Kagiso Rabada received the Player of the Match award for his second five-wicket haul in the format. As a matter of fact, both his five-fors have come against Bangladesh.
Mehidy Hasan will rejoice coming back to Centurion, where he picked up a four-wicket haul. Three of his four wickets came within two overs. He took only a wicket in the second game but made amends with a vital knock of 38 off 49.
Kyle Verreynne was picked ahead of the talented Aiden Markram, on the basis of his consistent performances at the domestic level. Thus far he has replied with scores of 21 and 58* in the series. Overall, his numbers speak volumes of his talent: he has scored 362 runs at 45 in 11 games.
It was Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das’ opening stand of 95 runs that set the foundation for victory in the opening ODI. If they blunt the South African pace attack in the powerplay, it will lay a strong basis for the middle-order.
In the CSA T20 League, David Miller was on a rampage. He smashed 193 runs at 64 in 6 games. He continued the form and scored an entertaining innings of 79 of 57 in the first match
Keshav Maharaj will play a key role on this wicket in the middle-overs. His services weren’t needed at Johannesburg, but the Centurion pitch has enough on offer for the left-arm spinner.
Match Preview
Bangladesh’s performances have been contrasting thus far. The bowling attack that they reduced to dust put them in trouble in the next game. On the other hand, South Africa will rely on their bowlers. If they smother the visitors below 250, the series is theirs to grab.