Date: Sunday, 20th February 2025
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
The Australia Domestic One-Day Cup (MODC) 2024-25 is heating up as South Australia takes on Tasmania in the 20th match of the season. South Australia, with three consecutive victories, sits atop the league table and will be looking to extend their winning streak. Tasmania, on the other hand, will be hoping to finish their season on a high note, despite being out of contention for the top spots. Let’s dive into the match preview, team form, key players, pitch conditions, and match prediction.
Recent Form
South Australia:
South Australia is in excellent form, winning their last three matches. Their key players like Nathan McSweeney, Liam Scott, and Mackenzie Harvey have contributed significantly with both bat and ball. The team is currently at the top of the league table, and they will be looking to carry this momentum forward. Liam Scott‘s all-round abilities, particularly his bowling, have been a huge asset, while Mackenzie Harvey has been their top run-scorer.
Tasmania:
Tasmania, on the other hand, has struggled throughout the season, winning just two out of their last five matches. However, they will be motivated to end their campaign with a win. Caleb Jewell has been their standout performer with the bat, while Beau Webster has been their leading bowler. Tasmania has shown flashes of brilliance but has failed to consistently deliver, making this a tough challenge against in-form South Australia.
Key Players
South Australia:
- Mackenzie Harvey – The top run-scorer for South Australia this season with 182 runs. His consistency at the top will be crucial.
- Liam Scott – A top performer with the ball, having taken six wickets at an average of 18.66. His all-round abilities make him a key player.
- Nathan McSweeney – The captain and an experienced player who can anchor the innings and guide the team through tough situations.
Tasmania:
- Caleb Jewell – The top run-scorer for Tasmania with 171 runs at an average of 42.75. He will need to score big to challenge South Australia.
- Beau Webster – The top wicket-taker for Tasmania with 13 wickets at an exceptional average of 8.07. He will be key to breaking South Australia’s batting lineup.
- Mitchell Owen – A hard-hitting batsman who can change the game quickly. His explosive batting could be a game-changer for Tasmania.
Team Previews
South Australia:
South Australia has a well-balanced team with solid batters and a versatile bowling attack. With players like Harry Conway, Wes Agar, and Lloyd Pope in the bowling department, the team can take quick wickets and contain the opposition. They have been excellent in both departments, and their recent victories will boost their confidence heading into this match.
South Australia Predicted Playing XI:
- Henry Hunt, Mackenzie Harvey, Daniel Drew, Nathan McSweeney (c), Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Harry Matthias (wk), Henry Thornton, Wes Agar, Lloyd Pope, Harry Conway
Tasmania:
Tasmania’s strength lies in their batting order, led by Caleb Jewell and Jordan Silk. The middle order will have to step up, with players like Jake Doran and Charlie Wakim being key to providing stability. The bowling attack will revolve around Beau Webster, Thomas Stewart Rogers, and Patrick Dooley, who will need to bowl tight spells to restrict South Australia.
Tasmania Predicted Playing XI:
- Mitchell Owen, Caleb Jewell, Beau Webster, Tim Ward, Charlie Wakim, Jordan Silk (c), Jake Doran (wk), Will Prestwidge, Thomas Stewart Rogers, Raf MacMillan, Patrick Dooley
Pitch & Weather Conditions
Adelaide Oval Pitch Report: The pitch at Adelaide Oval is generally batting-friendly, offering good pace and bounce for the fast bowlers early on. There is also some swing available for pacers, while spinners may see average turn as the game progresses. It is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with teams typically putting up competitive totals.
Weather Forecast: The weather in Adelaide is expected to be sunny with temperatures ranging between 17°C and 22°C. There is no rain expected, making it a perfect day for cricket. Winds will be light, with speeds between 3-5 km/h, so there will be no major weather disruptions.
Toss Prediction: With the pitch being favorable for chasing, the team winning the toss is likely to opt to bowl first and try to chase down a target later in the game. The average first-innings score in the MODC at this venue this season is around 195 runs.
Match Prediction
Based on recent form, South Australia enters this match as the favorites. With players like Nathan McSweeney, Mackenzie Harvey, and Liam Scott in great form, they have the depth and balance to dominate Tasmania. Tasmania, while having some key individual performers like Caleb Jewell and Beau Webster, has struggled to put together consistent team performances.
Given South Australia’s recent dominance and Tasmania’s inability to maintain momentum, South Australia is expected to come out on top in this contest. The match could be close, but South Australia’s superior all-round strength should see them through to another victory.
Predicted Winner: South Australia