Cricket World Cup: South Africa bat first against Australia as they bow out

South Africa will get first dig at the Old Trafford pitch as they play their final game of the 2019 Cricket World Cup against Australia.

The two rivals square off in the dead rubber match, with the defending champions looking to consolidate their spot at the top of the points table, while the Proteas are eyeing a positive finish to what has been a disastrous campaign.

Captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat, revealing that his side will be going in without veteran bat Hashim Amla, who pulled out injured, but an extra bowler, instead of a batsman, takes his place as South Africa go in with a second spinner in Tabraiz Shamsi.

“It looks a good wicket,” he said.

“And also the nature of the pitch. We’ve got a forced change and we’re playing a second spinner.

“We haven’t played our best cricket, therefore we’ve been very disappointed.

“But today is a big occasion for us and games against Australia are the best games to be part of.”

Faf du Plessis

The Titans tweaker pairs up with fellow wrist-spinner Imran Tahir, who is playing his final One Day International (ODI) match along with all-rounder JP Duminy.

The match also sees Steve Smith and David Warner take on South Africa for the first time since the infamous ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town.

The duo have each served a year-long suspension, and have since slotted into the national setup seamlessly to be among the Aussies best players in the tournament.

Australia vs South Africa teams

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glen Maxwell, Marcus Stionis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi.