AUS vs SA, Preview | Aussies look to break 11-year bilateral drought against Proteas in upcoming series

08/18/2025

The first ODI between Australia and South Africa is set to take place at the Cazaly Stadium on August 19. While the Proteas will be looking to improve their form in the One-day format, the Aussies will be looking for their first bilateral series win against the Proteas since 2014.

‌The first game of the ODI series between Australia and South Africa is set to take place on Tuesday at Cairns. This will be the battle between one of the giants of the cricketing world and the spirited Proteas. While it is the Aussies who are known to be one of the best teams in the world and have a great record against the Rainbow Nation in Tests and T20Is, they have been struggling against them in the ODI format. Though they might have a great record against them in the ICC events, It has been 11 years since Australia won an ODI series against South Africa, with the last series win coming in November 2014.

Apart from their poor record against the African nation, the Boys from Down Under have not had a good run in the format, having lost their last two series to Pakistan and Srilanka. This will also be another series where they will be missing some of their senior players in Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, as the side will be led by Mitchell Marsh. However, they still have some strong players within their squads with the likes of Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood. And Marnus Labuschagne, who are expected to be one of the key players to help the Aussies turn their luck around in the format.

The South Africans have been in a similar situation in the format as well, where they not only suffered a whitewash against Pakistan in their last bilateral ODI series but also finished at the bottom in the Pakistan tri-series, which featured New Zealand as well. Though the team will also be having their senior players in action with Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada in the mix, along with some young and promising players in Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Kwena Mapahaka who will be looking to make an impact in the format as well.

Form Guide

Australia: L NR A W L

South Africa: L W A W L

Australia vs South Africa Head-to-Head in ODIs

Though Australia are considered a better side in terms of trophies and records it is South Africa who holds the lead against them in the 50-over format, having won 55 out of the 110 matches that have been the two teams.

Australia 51- 55 South Africa

Pitch and Weather

The surface at the Cazaly’s Stadium is a balanced surface where the pacers manage to get some extra bounce, and the spinners also get some grip of the surface due to its dry texture. The highest score at this venue is 242, making it slightly tougher for the batters to score runs on this surface. The teams might prefer chasing on this wicket to see how it reacts in the first innings.

Though there might be a bit of cloud cover at the venue, the weather should remain clear throughout the game with the expected temperature to 27 degrees Celsius.

Team News

Australia is expected to pick Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, and Josh Inglis to be the probable specialist batters and Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa to be their probable senior bowlers to lead the attack

Temba Bavuma will be leading a young and inexperienced side going into the series. Apart from him, the other expected senior players in the lineup will be Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, and Kagiso Rabada. They might also give a chance to youngsters like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka as well.

Australia Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, Alex Carey, Xavier Bartlett.

South Africa Probable XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka.

Broadcasting Platforms

The first ODI between Australia and South Africa will be digitally streamed on JioHotstar, and the TV viewers can catch the action on the Star Sports network