South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI: Injury-hit Proteas welcome Aussies in high-stakes series

South Africa and Australia face off in the first of three ODIs at Kingsmead, Durban, on September 24th.

There's plenty of context in the series as Australia return to the Rainbow Nation for the first time in limited overs since 2023, and in Tests since the infamous Sandpaper gate.

Hostilities have intensified between the two in recent years. The Proteas are undefeated in each of their last five series versus the tourists, and more recently, they ended a 27-year major ICC trophy drought with a five-wicket win in the World Test Championship final.

Team News

South Africa have been beset with hamstring injuries to their key pacers, with young speedster Kwena Maphaka the latest to join a growing list of absentees. He will be replaced by Lizaad Williams.

Previously, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi have also been ruled out of the series, substituted by Duan Jansen and Nqobani Mokoena. Altogether, the three replacements have 12 ODI caps between them.

Meanwhile, pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is in a race against time to be fit for the highly-anticipated Test matches.

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams, Nqobani Mokoena, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs.

It's no secret that the Australian pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are going to be managed ahead of the Tests. The former is unlikely to lead the team in the first ODI as he arrived late to South Africa, and Mitchell Marsh should deputise in his place.

NSW allrounder Jack Edwards was called upon for Billy Stanlake and will vie for a 50-over debut after having featured in the T20Is against Pakistan.

Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

Both teams pack power in the middle order

The Australians head to Durban with a strong record of six wins from nine matches. Fresh off a 3-0 sweep against Zimbabwe last week, they are well-positioned in their quest for a long-awaited series victory over South Africa.

A match-winning century from Josh Inglis (103 off 102) and an unbeaten 36* from Nathan Ellis snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Australia in the 3rd ODI against the Chevrons. While openers Marsh and Travis Head fell for single-digit scores, crucial partnerships from Cooper Connolly and Alex Carey with Inglis highlighted the strength of the Australian middle order.

Connolly has slotted fittingly into his role at first drop. The 23-year-old smashed 149 against Bangladesh, before translating that form into the Zimbabwe series with a pair of half centuries.

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What sets the Proteas apart from perhaps any other ODI unit going around the circuit is their batting depth. Ryan Rickelton at three, followed by Matthew Breetzke, who averages just under 60 from his 13 ODI innings makes a formidable, attack-minded middle order.

Add to that the experience of Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller, and there's an all-weather batting order capable of winning matches by themselves in varying conditions.

Averaging an impressive 72 over his last four innings with the bat, Corbin Bosch demonstrates South Africa's formidable firepower deep into the lower order.

Match Prediction

It should be a close encounter between South Africa and Australia, and it could come down to which side plays slower bowling better on a Durban wicket that's known to be sticky after the new ball.

The Aussies hold an advantage with their new-ball exploits, whereas the hosts are heavily reliant on Marco Jansen to deliver a crucial opening spell.

South Africa have lost their previous two home ODI bilateral series, and injuries could hamper their chances of enforcing wickets in the middle overs.