ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: South Africa opt to bat against Australia

South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis leaves the field at close of play during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the Riverside Ground, in Chester-le-Street, northeast England, on June 28, 2019. - South Africa beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets. (Photo by Lindsey PARNABY / AFP)


South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss and chose to bat against Australia in their last league match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester on Saturday.

Australia are playing the same XI, whereas for South Africa, Tabraiz Shamsi came in place of Hashim Amla.

“Going to have a bat. Looks a good wicket. Forced change. Playing a second spinner. Hashim Amla got hit on the knee yesterday, he’s missing. Chance to look at (Tabraiz) Shamsi. Haven’t played our best cricket. Today is a big occasion. South Africa-Australia games are a big occasion to be part of,” said du Plessis after winning the toss.

Australia captain Aaron Finch said: “Nice to recharge the batteries, had a hectic period for a bit in the middle. That’s what’s been pleasing from our point of view. Have continued to improve in all areas of the game. Unchanged again. (Jason) Behrendorff has been bowling beautifully with the new ball. (Mitchell) Starc, (Pat) Cummins, (Nathon) Lyon, everyone’s been chipping in, even with the bat.”

Here are the Playing XIs of both the teams:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (captain), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon