It’s Australia vs South Africa in the Tri-Series in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, August 27.
The game is set to start at 9:30 a.m. CAT/SAST (5:30 p.m. AEST) at the Harare Sports Club.
The game will be broadcast on SuperSport in South Africa and Zimbabwe and Fox Sports 2 in Australia.
It will also be broadcast on PTV Sports in Pakistan, Ten Sports in the Indian subcontinent, OSN in the Middle East, and Willow TV in the United States.
Live streaming will be available through most broadcasters.
Australia is coming off a 198-run victory over Zimbabwe on Monday while South Africa is also coming off a win.
ESPN notes that the match will be the most even of the triangular series, because Zimbabwe is simply not on the same level right now.
“Do not pretend that you have not been thinking it, even though you may feel uncomfortable about how it reflects on what you think of the hosts of this series. The reality is that Zimbabwe’s ability to stay in a contest, which started promisingly in the one-off Test against South Africa, has been almost non-existent in the one-dayers, and the only way this tournament was likely to grab some attention is if there was something to liven it up. Luckily, South Africa and Australia could do that just by being in the same room,” it said.
“The countries are old rivals, but also good friends. They may have bones to pick with each other, but will share beverages afterwards. While there is no love lost between them, there is also a lot of mutual respect. Although they are tussling over a trophy few will even remember in months to come, the two teams will not be going easy on each other as they look to claim early bragging rights ahead of the World Cup.
“Recent ODI history favours South Africa, who have won three of the last four series between these two teams. However, Australia have had the upper hand in other formats and their current ascendancy makes this contest too close to call. By next Saturday, we may have a different answer. Since Zimbabwe’s chances of appearing in the final are minimal, South Africa and Australia have two potential rehearsals before the big day.”
AB de Villiers said, also per Cric Info, that he expects the hostilities to resume between the two teams.
“When I get sledged at the wicket, I don’t mind it at all. I really enjoy the challenge. I’m expecting to see more of that in this series,” de Villiers said.
“There was lots of personal stuff. Certain guys take it in a different way. I laughed at a couple of chirps I heard. It’s part of the game and I see it in that way. But they can’t expect us to be mates with them off the field if they get very personal.”
See squads below.
Australia
1 Aaron Finch, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Steve Smith, 7 James Faulkner 8 Mitchell Johnson 9 Jane Richardson, 10 Mitchell Starc/Ben Cutting, 11 Nathan Lyon
South Africa
1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir/Aaron Phangiso
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