South Africa v Australia - 1st T20 Preview

South Africa were cruelly denied a World Cup semi – final place by Australia in Rugby Union but the roles can be reversed when they meet at the beginning of Australia’s month-long tour of South Africa.

There’s a concern for some that this will be South Africa's first international in any format since March 25 but home advantage still makes this a close game which may be decided by home advantage.

Despite that gap between matches, plenty says South Africa can win. Australia have won only one of their previous eight Twenty20 internationals, while South Africa have won six of their previous seven, including two defeats to Sri Lanka. Before another World Cup choke the South Africans took two matches off India and they boast a high strike rate in this format.

Australia are still finding their best new team – Three uncapped men include Matthew Wade (wicketkeeper), a situation further explained by the fact that five members of the Twenty20 squad will fly home ahead of the ODIs.

The absence of Brett Lee due to his bout of appendicitis is a massive blow while At 18, Patrick Cummins (described by Shane Watson as "as impressive as I've seen for any young guy coming through for the past ten years") will become Australia's second-youngest debutant in any format.

There should be plenty of motivation for both sides and while having not played a game in 6  months could harm their chances, it’s hard to believe that much fitness work wouldn’t have been done ahead of this match.

Despite having a relatively poor record against Australia Hashim Amla averages 39.05 against the Wallabies and that makes a run mark of 23 look very achievable if he can lead from the front with big runs, so take the 5/6 with Ladbrokes that he does.

Advice

1 pt South Africa (10/11)

2 pts Hashim Amla to make 23 or more runs (5/6 Ladbrokes)