South Africa and Australia open ODI series in Durban ahead of Test showdown
South Africa and Australia began a three-match ODI series in Durban on Tuesday, serving as preparation for October's Test series and the 2027 World Cup, with both sides missing several key players.
Series opens on Heritage Day
South Africa and Australia kicked off the first of three one-day internationals (ODIs) at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Tuesday, 24 September — South Africa's Heritage Day public holiday. Two more ODIs follow, in Johannesburg on 27 September and Potchefstroom on 30 September, before a three-Test series begins on 9 October in Durban, Gqeberha and Johannesburg. It is the first meeting between the two sides since the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, where South Africa beat Australia to claim the title.
Australia resting key players
Much of Australia's attention is already on October's Test series. Mitch Marsh is captaining the ODI side instead of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who will sit out the opener as his build-up is geared toward the Tests; Marsh said he hoped Cummins would still feature in the ODI series at some point. Allrounder Cameron Green's fitness is also uncertain — he is managing a sore shoulder and may only play as a specialist batter rather than bowl. Jack Edwards, drafted in from Australia A's tour of India, could make his ODI debut.
South Africa's bowling crisis
South Africa's situation is more acute. Captain Temba Bavuma said his side is "burning through" fast bowlers. According to cricket.com.au, five leading pace bowlers — including Test spearheads Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi — are currently sidelined, with 20-year-old Kwena Maphaka the latest, ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. Notably, the sources disagree on Ngidi's status: the ICC lists him among the "familiar faces" returning to the squad, while cricket.com.au names him among the injured spearheads. Aiden Markram, player of the match in last year's WTC final, will also miss the series opener, joining the squad only for the second and third ODIs.
Bavuma eyes a home World Cup
For Bavuma, this marks his first ODI appearance since December 2025. He said the nine ODIs South Africa will play against Australia, Bangladesh and England over the next four months will help shape the squad for the 2027 World Cup, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia. Durban's average first-innings ODI total is 271 runs, and given the city's humidity, the toss-winning captain is expected to choose to bowl first.
