๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
South Africa
Australia
South Africa will face Australia in the first ODI of their tour at Kingsmead, Durban. Mitchell Marsh will lead Australia, while Temba Bavuma will captain South Africa. Both teams will have key players returning for the series, although some players will miss out due to injuries.
The recent ODI record between the sides will suggest a close contest. Australia and South Africa have 2 wins each from their last 5 head-to-head ODIs, with one match producing no result. 3 of those 4 completed matches have been won by the team batting first. South Africa will also enter the series after winning the previous ODI series 2-1 in 2025.
With both sides having experienced batting options and strong bowling attacks, the toss and conditions at Kingsmead will play an important role. The first ODI will likely be decided by which team adapts better to the conditions and builds partnerships.
Mitchell Starcโs return to Australiaโs pace attack and his new-ball threat will give him a strong chance of taking multiple wickets against South Africa.
The betting tip is...
Mitchell Starc - Over 1.5 wickets
63 %
37 %
South AfricaAustraliaSouth Africa had included David Miller, Quinton de Kock and Gerald Coetzee in the squad for the Australia ODIs. Coetzee returned to the ODI side after last playing the format in the 2023 World Cup.
Quinton de Kock had scored 353 runs in his last six matches at an average of 70.6 and a strike rate of 97.51, while Tony de Zorzi had made 303 runs in seven matches at an average of 50.5 and a strike rate of 96.49.
Corbin Bosch had taken 10 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 6.75. Bjorn Fortuin had claimed six wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 4.67. Injuries ruled out Gerald Coetzee's fellow pacer Ottneil Baartman and Kagiso Rabada, while Lungi Ngidi missed out with a hamstring injury. Duan Jansen and Mokoena were called up as replacements.
Markram, de Kock and Jansen are the key players in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee
Australia will have its main pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood back together for the ODI series. Billy Stanlake, Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett will provide further pace options, while Adam Zampa and Joel Davies will form the spin unit.
Mitchell Marsh will lead the batting alongside Travis Head and Cooper Connolly. Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis will add further batting depth to the middle order.
Australia will also have Nathan Ellis available after his recent ODI form, while Adam Zampa will provide experience in the middle overs. The return of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood will give Australia a strong pace attack for the series opener at Kingsmead.
Head, Starc and Cummins are the players in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa
Australia will enter the first ODI with a settled bowling attack, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood returning together. South Africa will have experienced options in their attack, but the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman will reduce their pace resources.
Starc will be an important threat with the new ball at Kingsmead, where his pace and left-arm angle can trouble South Africaโs top order. Marco Jansen will also provide a similar threat for the hosts.
Australiaโs bowling depth, led by its experienced pace trio, could give them an edge if they strike early and keep South Africa under pressure.
