Australia will be playing the second ODI against South Africa on August 2022 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The Proteas already have a lead of 1-0 as they defeated Australia by 98 runs. Keshav Maharaj was the player in spotlight as he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul and while batting Aiden Markarm, Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetze scoring half-centuries.
Australia will want to forget the bitter memories of 1st ODI and aim for a must-win in the second match. The Aussies have been struggling with many injury setbacks and retirements – with senior players like Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis absent, it is very important for the youngsters to take charge in batting. The pitch will also play a very important role in determining the result of 2nd ODI.
AUS Vs SA: Pitch Report
Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena comes back into the limelight for men’s ODIs after 1992. Two deliveries were bowled in the match there in 1992 because of rain. Competitive women’s ODIs have been played there over the years. In the series against India Women and Australia Women in 2021, all three matches were won by the team that bowled first. Evidently, scores of 275, 265, and 226 were chased successfully, suggesting a well-balanced wicket that makes chasing more inclined to succeed.
The pitch will be good for batting, with genuine bounce and worth of shots. Spinners might become a factor as the game wears on, as was evident from the first ODI. A par score here will be around 280–290, but dew falling in the evening might make the second innings bowling a shade difficult.
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AUS Vs SA: Toss Strategy
In light of previous performances here and the possibility of dew, the captain who wins the toss is most likely to choose to bowl first. Chasing has worked in Mackay, and sides will be eager to take advantage of possibly slightly more benign batting conditions in the lights.
