Published on: Aug 21, 2025 12:25 pm IST | Updated on: Aug 21, 2025 12:25 pm IST
Keshav Maharaj was all over the Aussies in the first ODI as he spun a web to help South Africa go 1- 0 up in the three-match ODI series. The caravan will now move from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef in Mackay, where the remaining two ODIs of the series will be played. For Australia, it’s a battle of survival, whereas South Africa will look to seal the deal in the second ODI itself. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 2nd ODI, AUS vs SA, at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.
South Africa has been dominant in recent times over the Australian team. In their last 4 ODI wins over the hosts, the Proteas have tormented the Kangaroos with more than 100 runs three times, whereas their latest win in Cairns was a massive 98-run victory. Despite being on the front foot, the Proteas won’t be the favorites to win this encounter, as playing in familiar conditions will give Australia an edge. Therefore, the win probability will be in favor of the hosts. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the AUS vs SA 2nd ODI at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.
SA: 44% win chance AUS: 56% win chance
Matthew Breetzke is a star in the making. The youngster has started his ODI career on the brightest note ever. In the three ODI innings so far in his career, he has 2 fifties and a ton to his name. Expect Breetzke to continue his rich vein of form.
The Aussie skipper loves playing ODI cricket against this opposition. He has 5 fifties to his name against this opposition in 25 innings. After a brilliant 88 in the last game, Marsh will be high on confidence.
The Proteas skipper is fresh off a fifty in the last game. He is averaging 43 in his last 47 ODI innings and has scored 301 runs. That's an impressive tally.
The wicket-keeper batter got out cheaply in the last game but holds an impressive record in his last 9 ODIs. Inglis averages 43.33 in his last 9 ODIs and has scored 260 runs.
Check out our prediction for the AUS vs SA 2nd ODI at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.
The Aussies sank in the first ODI courtesy of Keshav Maharaj on a pitch that was sluggish right from the very beginning of the game. The Australian stand-in skipper, Mitchell Marsh, was the lone warrior with the bat, but he got it all wrong during the toss.
When the third T20I was played at this venue, the wicket was sluggish, something the commentators kept mentioning during the course of the game. Despite knowing this fact, Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field in the first ODI, a decision that completely backfired on the hosts. On a sluggish wicket, it’s usually advantageous to bat first, as the surface tends to slow down as the game progresses, allowing spinners to extract more purchase. Keshav Maharaj’s quality was on display once he was getting ample purchase from the wicket, and he single-handedly reduced the hosts to 89 for the loss of 6 wickets while chasing a daunting total of 297 runs.
What happened at Cairns was a shock for the hosts, and they will now look to rectify their mistakes in the second ODI in Mackay. A loss in the second game will seal the series for the Proteas, something the hosts are wary of and will do everything possible to avoid a series loss in the second ODI itself.
South Africa’s fabulous outing in the first ODI at Cairns has infused a lot of confidence in the squad. After losing the final T20I of the three-match series by a whisker, the Proteas didn’t let themselves down and completely dominated the hosts to register a fabulous 98-run victory in the first ODI.
After being put into bat first by Mitchell Marsh on a slow surface, the Proteas posted a terrific 296 for the loss of 8 wickets in their desired 50 overs. Openers Aiden Markram (82 off 81) and Ryan Rickelton (33 off 43) set the tone for a big score with a scintillating 92-run stand in 16.5 overs. The good work from the openers was carried forward by skipper Temba Bavuma (65 off 74) and Matthew Breetzke (57 off 56), who stitched up another 92-run partnership, but this time for the 4th wicket. These twin 92-run stands set the tone for South Africa’s mammoth total, and despite a lower-order collapse, the Proteas managed to post 296 on the board, which eventually was enough for them to go 1-0 up in the series.
Keshav Maharaj’s career-best performance was the icing on the cake after a fabulous effort with the bat. Maharaj’s 5 for 33 in 10 overs included wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (1 off 6), Cameron Green (3 off 8), Josh Inglis (5 off 9), Alex Carey (0 off 1), and Aaron Hardie (4 off 10). Australia’s middle and lower order was completely swept by Maharaj’s spin wizardry, and the hosts could never recover from this assault.
Heading into the second ODI, the visitors will look to maintain the same rhythm and intensity to overcome the hosts yet again, but this time to not only win the match but also seal the 3-match series. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 111 AUS won: 51 SA won: 56 No Result: 1 Tied: 3 RECENT form AUSTRALIA: W A NR L L RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: W A W L W
A win in Cairns has stretched South Africa’s overall head-to-head ODI record against Australia, which was already impressive. Now, in 111 matches, Australia has won only 51 games, whereas South Africa now has 56 wins to their name. One game ended without a result in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, whereas 3 ODIs between these two sides have ended in a tie.
How will the two teams, i.e., Australia and South Africa, fare in the 2nd ODI? Let’s take a look.
Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie/Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett/Josh Hazlewood
Temba Bavuma (C), Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy/Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 2nd ODI match between South Africa and Australia at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay:
With the pitch at Great Barrier Reef Arena expected to favor batters as the game progresses, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first. Early movement under humid conditions could help seamers, while chasing has historically been successful at this venue. Expect a calculated toss decision with match-ups and momentum in mind.
Where to Watch Today’s Match
The online live streaming of the 2nd ODI match of the South Africa Tour of Australia will take place live on the JioHotstar App. TV viewers can watch this series live on Star Sports channels.
Australia has a rich history of fightback. After going 1-0 down in the series, the hosts won’t leave any stone unturned to return the favor. Several sportsbooks still consider Australia as the favorite to win this contest, and so do we. So, as per our prediction, the hosts, Australia, are expected to win the AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction 2nd ODI match at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.