Australia sent into bat v Proteas

Australia have made three changes to face South Africa in Harare from the team that was humiliated by Zimbabwe on Sunday.

After being badly exposed by the No.10 team in the world, Australia’s under pressure batting line-up are going to have to immediately face their demons after being sent into bat by South African captain AB de Villiers who won the toss.

Australian captain George Bailey says this match was about his team getting back to playing good cricket and he doesn’t expect the Harare Sports Club wicket to spin as much as it did against Zimbabwe.

With Michael Clarke sent home for treatment on his hamstring, and James Faulkner and Ben Cutting dropped, Australia welcome back Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson and death bowler Kane Richardson.

Faulkner was a star of the last Australian summer but has struggled in Harare in all departments, taking just one wicket.

If Australia beat South Africa they will book a place in Saturday’s final, but if they lose there is a possibility they could be embarrassingly edged out.

Zimbabwe would need to cause another upset against South Africa on Thursday in that scenario to knock Australia out of the tournament.

South Africa’s line-up has been strengthened with captain AB de Villiers back from food poisoning and fast bowler Morne Morkel returning from a shoulder problem.

The Proteas beat Australia by seven wickets when they met in the first round-robin match last week and have selected two spinners to try to exploit the slow conditions and Australia’s deficiencies against spin bowling.

Australia: Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Steve Smith, George Bailey (capt), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (capt), JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir.

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