Australia's quest to get their campaign up and running in the second game  

Betting Odds 

Our Predictions 

• Steve Smith has odds of 3.73 to be the best batsman for Australia.  
• Rassie van der Dussen has odds of 4.19 to be South Africa's best batsman. 
• Mitchell Starc has odds of 3.25 to be Australia's best bowler.  
• Lungi Ngidi has odds of 3.90 to be the best bowler for South Africa.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

We are in game No. 10 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and Australians will face the heat as they take on South Africa. The Aussies went down against India in the last game, and they have to overcome the batting challenges to do well to avoid falling into the points table pressure. The South Africans defeated Sri Lanka in their opening game, riding on an excellent batting performance. The betting odds are against South Africans due to their habit of crumbling under pressure. The stakes are high for both teams in this game, and we expect a close contest where punters stay hooked on their betting apps.  

Australia Preview      

According to betting sites, Pat Cummins' side is one of the top contenders for the title. However, the five-time title winners didn't make the most convincing starts to the tournament. They batted poorly against India, going down by six wickets. We are still in the tournament's early stage, and the Aussies will look to bounce back. They have good players, and Cummins shall expect a strong show from his teammates.   

David Warner started well in the last game, and he will look to deliver a positive start with Mitchell Marsh in this game. The side would want Steven Smith to anchor the innings and build partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell after failing against India. They have firepower in the lower middle order and shall expect a good show from Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, and Cameron Green.  

The bowlers raised hopes in the last game with early wickets, and the side will need the same from the pace trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, as the top order has done well for South Africa. The South Africans aren't the best players of spin, and hence, Adam Zampa and Maxwell will have a crucial role. Green must deliver the goods in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for Australia     

Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Adam Zampa, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc 

South Africa Preview      

Temba Bavuma's side defeated Sri Lanka by 102 runs in the last game. In a game that scored more than 700 runs, the South Africans dominated the proceedings from the word go. However, Bavuma shall expect a better show with the ball in this game. They had defeated Australia at home recently and shall look to use that as an inspiration here.  

Quinton de Kock will be confident after his hundred in the last game and needs to deliver a steady start with Bavuma. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram tore apart the Lankan attack, and they will look to do the same against the Aussies in this game. They have good hitters in the lower middle order, where Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Marco Jansen will look to add quick runs.   

Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen will have to trouble the Australian top order with the new ball and get early wickets to put them under pressure. The side will need a good spell from Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, the leading bowlers in these conditions. Gerald Coetzee must do well as a 5th bowler, as the Aussies will target him in this game.   

Expected Starting XI for South Africa     

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi  

TOSS: To Bowl First      

We have seen dew play a role in the evening, and bowling with a wet ball is never easy in India. There have been big run chases at this venue, and the side winning the toss will look to bowl first and restrict their opponents to a small total.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The skies over Lucknow shall be clear, and we expect it to be a hot and humid day at the start. The wicket will be two-paced, with bowlers having their fair share of bargains. Batsmen must rotate the strike to do well at this venue. The side batting first shall look to have 300 runs on the board.    

OUR PREDICTION      

South Africans won the last game convincingly, but the side will be worried about the form of its bowlers. They had a poor outing in the previous match, and they lack options on a surface like this one. Australians have depth in both departments and a strong pace attack. It gives them a slight edge over the South Africans according to our World Cup betting tips.    

Our Prediction is for Australia to win.