ODI World Cup 2023: Weather and Pitch Report for Australia vs South Africa

South Africa will be taking on Australia in Match 10 of the ODI World Cup 2023 on Thursday, October 12. The two will clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from 2 pm (IST) onwards. This would be the second match of both teams in the ongoing World Cup and the first fixture to take place in Lucknow. 

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The Proteas will come in as a more confident unit as they begin their World Cup campaign with a commanding win against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, the Kangaroos suffered a six-wicket defeat in their opening game against India. Moreover, the two nations played a five-match ODI series just before the marquee event, with South Africa winning 3-2. 

Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The ground will be new for the World Cup but will be familiar to players who have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. During the 16th edition of the cash-rich league, the Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch was known as a troublemaker for the batters. The sluggish surface assisted the spinners more. However, it is learned that the ground staff prepared a new wicket for the World Cup and that surface might be used for the first time today. The venue, which has hosted 34 ODIs, has seen 14 matches won by the team batting first. 

Weather Report 

Skies in Lucknow are expected to be mostly cloudy during the match. But to the delight of fans, there is no chance of rain in the Uttar Pradesh capital on Thursday. Temperatures are forecast to hover around 33 degrees Celsius during the day and drop to 14 degrees in the evening. An exciting encounter between the two cricket giants awaits in Lucknow and a complete 50-over game is on the cards. 

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Australia vs South Africa Probable XIs

Australia Playing XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa.

South Africa Playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada.