Australia vs South Africa ODI Series Preview – Copybet
Australia return to one-day international action this week as the reigning world champions begin a three-match series against South Africa in Queensland.
Mitchell Marsh fills in as skipper for Pat Cummins, who is absent for the series, and there is a recall to international colours for experienced batter Marnus Labuschagne.
Marsh helped Australia secure a 2-1 series victory over the Proteas during the T20I series and will be hoping for a dominant display in the 50-over matches.
Temba Bavuma leads the touring side with all-format stars Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder and Lungi Ngidi forming an experienced backbone to the squad.
Teenage quick Kwena Maphaka will be looking to add to the nine Australian scalps he recorded in the shorter format while in-form batter Dewald Brevis is primed to make his ODI debut.
Australia vs
South Africa
Australia have lost five of their last six completed ODIs, but three of those defeats came on subcontinental tracks or in the United Arab Emirates.
Their recent record at home is pretty solid with seven wins and two defeats from the last nine contests.
Australia have come out on top in all five of the previous 50-over internationals played at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns - the venue for the first ODI before the concluding two matches take place in Mackay.
And they have plenty of local knowledge in their camp too with Labuschagne and bowler Xavier Bartlett both affiliated to Queensland’s state side.
South Africa won the last bilateral series between the nations on home soil, but Australia got their revenge when the sides last met in the semi-final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
And it is the Aussies’ ability to pull something special out when it really matters that makes them appeal as the favourites to clinch the series.
The hosts are 9/20 to make the best possible start to the three-match series when the teams convene on Tuesday.
Australia vs
South Africa
The wicket at Cazaly's Stadium is generally a slow one, although there does tend to be some assistance for the quick bowlers early on.
That has led to very few big totals being posted when international cricket is played at the venue.
The final T20 of the recent series was won when Australia chased down their target of 173 with a ball to spare and the home side skittled Bangladesh for just over 100 in the last ODI held in Cairns.
The highest batting total ever posted at the ground was Australia’s 267/5 against New Zealand in September 2022 with the Kiwis having managed to score a paltry 82 in the previous match at Cairns, illustrating how difficult a track it can be for batting.
History suggests it would take some effort for either team to make a score of 300 plus, leading to the conclusion that fewer than 527 runs may be the sum total of both sides’ innings.