Troubled Australia seek refuge in Adelaide comforts

Australia's only ODI victory in 2018 in Adelaide © Getty

Let's get some (Elite) honesty out of the way: Australia are in a mess. And that's not just a tip of the table. A solitary ODI victory in the 11 played in 2018 paints the grimest of grim pictures – more so just a few months out of a World Cup defense.

The current dismal state of affairs has its roots in the ball tampering saga – which took place in the Australian cricket still. Yet, the need for a move – at least on the pitch – can not be more apparent. All the off-field shenanigans – the corporate jargon and the pacts player – will only do so much to repair what's badumed to be broken. For everything else, Australia will need to populate the wins column.

To do that, they need to get away from the battle of their performances in the tournament opener against South Africa in Perth. The floundering top-order can be easy to get to know the place to go to Perth, Australia. Travis Head – the current Aussie opener – score at 107-ball 96 in a successful run chase against England.

Friday will present South Africa an opportunity to knock a groggy opposition out cold. And doing so will get them their first away series in Australia since 2009 – which they achieve under Johan Botha.

Better batting conditions should mean the task of carving open Australia's top-order like they did in Perth may, but a collective of Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo and Imran Tahir is likely to be up for whatever Australian batting line-up throws their way.

When: November 9, 2018, 11:20 AM Local time

Where: Adelaide Oval

What to expect: A partly sunny and pleasant day.

Team News:

australia

Shaun Marsh is back in training and gives Aaron Finch a solid option in a top-four that struggles and collectively scored 21 runs in Perth. Finch will have another key decision to make, one will be able to break his all-pace attack and introduce a bit of leg spin from Adam Zampa.

Probable XI: Travis Head, Aaron Finch (c), D'Arcy Short / Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa

No clear reason for South Africa to tinker with their line-up after a fantastic outing in Perth.

Probable XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungisani Ngidi, Imran Tahir

Did you know:

– Australia have a win of 9.09 in 2018 – the worst ever in calendar year. ODIs, which makes it their long run of consecutive defeats in ODIs.

– Australia have won their last ODIs in Adelaide. In fact, their only ODI win in 2018 came at this place – by three wickets against England.

– South Africa have a 4-1 win-loss record in the ODIs they played at the Adelaide Oval. A win in the second ODI would give them their seventh consecutive ODI win against Australia.

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