Aussie coach Justin Langer hopes to bring back smile
Australia and South Africa prepare for their 3-match ODI series, with the first match scheduled to be held on Sunday. Australian coach Justin Langer has vowed to put smile back on the faces of fans. Australia have played some dismal ODI cricket in the past 21 months and this is a huge test for the side. They need to come out strong against Proteas.
Aussies were involved in ball-tampering scandal this year
The two teams meet in Perth for the first ODI and all eyes will be on the hosts, who were involved in the infamous ball-tampering scandal against the Proteas, earlier this year. The scandal saw skipper Steve Smith alongside David Warner and Cameron Bancroft receiving a ban from Cricket Australia. Coach Darren Lehmann also quit from his post. He was replaced by Langer.
Langer vows to put smile back
Langer came in and vowed to change the win-at-all-costs culture that governed Australia. The idea is to play good cricket in the first game of the summer at home. "What we can do is we can prepare well, we can play good cricket, and be entertaining and put on a good show so Australians can start smiling a bit."
CA and cricket should spread happiness
Langer said that the sport and Cricket Australia could bring happiness back. "One thing sport can do and the Australian cricket can do is put smiles on faces rather than everyone throwing stones at each other."
Numbers suggest Aussies are under immense pressure
The Aussies have lost 16 of the last 18 ODI matches. They have also lost eight in a row. In this period, the hosts have lost against New Zealand, India and England (twice), besides an early exit in the ICC Champions Trophy. They lost 1-4 to England earlier this year, which was their first ODI series defeat at home since 2010.
Australia and South Africa squads
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.
