The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay will witness international men’s cricket for the first time in over three decades when Australia take on South Africa in the second ODI of the series.
The venue last hosted a World Cup match in 1992 between India and Sri Lanka, which was abandoned after just two deliveries due to rain. This time, fans can expect a full contest as Temba Bavuma’s South Africa look to seal the series following their dominant 98-run win in the opener.
Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, will be eager to bounce back after their middle order faltered in the chase. The pitch conditions, records, and scoring trends at this rarely used venue will play a big role in shaping the outcome of the second ODI.
How many ODI has the Great Barrier Reef Arena hosted?
The Great Barrier Reef Arena has hosted only one ODI before, a 1992 World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka that was abandoned after just two balls due to rain.
How many spectators can the Great Barrier Reef Arena hold?
The Great Barrier Reef Arena can hold up to 10,000 spectators for an ODI.
The Great Barrier Reef Arena, Cairns: Pitch report
The Great Barrier Reef Arena offers plenty of intrigue as conditions remain largely untested at the international level. The surface has shown mixed results in domestic and women’s fixtures. In the three women’s ODIs held here in 2021, chasing sides dominated, winning all three matches comfortably.
However, the two List A games in 2023 suggested a more balanced contest. Chasing teams split the results 1-1, with Victoria defending a huge 349 against a spirited Queensland side. The pitch is expected to provide good bounce and carry, rewarding stroke play, but bowlers who hit the right lengths can stay in the game.
The Great Barrier Reef Arena ODI records, batting and bowling figures
The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay has hosted only one men’s ODI, which was abandoned after just two balls due to rain. As a result, there are no official batting or bowling records in the format at this venue.
Recent domestic List A fixtures and women’s ODIs played here offer useful clues about how the pitch behaves, highlighting trends for both batting and bowling that could influence upcoming matches.
Matches Played | 3 |
Matches won batting first | 0 |
Matches won bowling first | 3 |
Average 1st innings score | 254 |
Highest score chased | 275 |
AUS vs. SA betting odds and tips, 2nd ODI
According to Parimatch, Australia are the favorites at 1.55, while South Africa are priced at 2.45 despite their dominant win in the series opener. The odds reflect the home advantage for Mitchell Marsh’s men, but Temba Bavuma’s side will carry plenty of confidence after outplaying the hosts in all departments.
This sets up a balanced contest where momentum is with South Africa, but betting markets still lean towards Australia.
*Odds | |
Australia | 1.55 |
South Africa | 2.45 |
*odds are correct at the time of publish
TSN’s Top 3 Predictions:
- Top Batter: Matthew Breetzke (SA)
- Top Bowler: Keshav Maharaj (SA)
- Match Winner: South Africa
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