Proteas Ready To Seize Opportunity Against Depleted Australia In Rawalpindi

The Proteas against Australia in a major ICC tournament.

Considering everything has gone before its enough to send shivers down the spine of even the most ardent South African cricket fan.

Fortunately, Tuesdays encounter in Rawalpindi is not of the knockout kind that invariably goes the way of the world champions. Both the Proteas and Australia won their opening matches of the competition which gives them a bit of breathing space, but that does not mean this Pool B encounter will be any less rousing.

There is also, of course, the small matter of an ICC World Test Championship final to be played at Lords later this year when Shukri Conrads team will be aiming to dethrone the current champs.

But thats still 103 days away, and the Australian attack will look remarkably different to the one Rob Walters side will be encountering. The Aussies are without their entire frontline trio of seamers, including inspirational skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc.