The pressure might be off the Proteas to some extent after they clinched the series in Bloemfontein, but their summer of learning goes on.
Australia will need to bounce back from a pair of pretty big defeats which featured tapering batting performances from the tourists.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Third ODI | Saturday 7 March 2020 | Senwes Park, Potchefstroom | 10:00
To Win
South Africa 29/20
Tie 35/1
Australia 57/100
South Africa
Mark Boucher will be please with how the top order have fired in this series especially given skipper Quinton de Kock has yet to make a big contribution, and another senior professional in Faf du Plessis was rested.
There are still concerns about the quality of Jon-Jon Smuts who struggled to get going in Bloemfontein after coming in for the injured Temba Bavuma. With the series won Smuts is likely to be given another shot but time is running out for him to impress.
Lungi Ngidi has come to the fore and looks to be getting back to his best, but this match could be an opportunity to give him a rest ahead of the tour to India.
The pitch at Senwes Park is usually a belter to bat on, but spinners will play a role in keeping the scoring down so we should see Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj both operating in Potch.
Australia
Australia have a very good top order with Aaron Finch and David Warner a settled and explosive opening pair, followed by the reliability of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne but beyond them things get shaky.
The allrounders in the squad haven’t quite stepped up with Mitch Marsh standing out as chief struggle bus. Marsh hasn’t provided the explosive finishes his team need and has been targeted by the Proteas batsmen with the ball in hand.
The fifth/sixth bowler has caused Australia headaches, and D’ Arcy Short did not bowl in Bloemfontein despite the slow track. Labuschagne turned his arm over for one over but took punishment and was immediately withdrawn.
Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar have been shown a great deal of respect by the South African batsmen who have been particularly wary to attack leg-spinner Zampa.
Verdict: South Africa 29/20
The Proteas should complete the whitewash.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets
