Bowling woes grip Australia as whitewash looms

Match facts

October 12, 2016 Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT)

Big Picture

South Africa couldn’t have asked for a better start to their summer. After having achieved their initial objective – a series win – they are in a position to inflict a whitewash against the top-ranked ODI side.

The margins of victory reflect how South Africa have been dominant in every aspect. Two of the wins have come with more than 10 overs to spare, another by more than 140 runs. In the only match Australia threatened to come close, at Kingsmead, a freak performance for a the out-of-form David Miller sealed the series.

Miller apart, South Africa have been helped with contributions from Rilee Rossouw, Andile Phehlukwayo and Kyle Abbott, all of whom were considered fringe players coming into the series. That has meant South Africa are spoilt for choices, something Australia will covet.

That Australia haven’t bowled South Africa out even once in the series reiterates the inexperience in their attack. But that doesn’t mean there are no other headaches. Australia have crossed 300 just once and have been bowled out for under 220 twice. Their over-reliance on big names hasn’t helped their cause. But they have the added motivation of trying to avoid being blanked.

That they will have to do that at one of South Africa’s favourite grounds, in front of a sell-out crowd, will be a challenge. Newlands had earlier raised concerns about the match being scheduled on the same day as a religious holiday, Yom Kippur , but it seems the enthusiasm is hardly affected by that.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)

South Africa: WWWWWAustralia: LLLLW

In the spotlight

With seven wickets in four matches, Andile Phehlukwayo has underlined the different between both sides so far. Phehlukwayo is not part of the national squad in any other formats yet but his ability to …

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