Australia is set to be without two of its Test stars when the ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Durban at 6pm AEST on Thursday.
Fresh off defeating Zimbabwe 3-0 in Harare, the Australians are likely to be without captain Pat Cummins as well as key all-rounder Cameron Green once again.
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Mitchell Marsh fulfilled the captaincy duties on the eve of the match, speaking to media and undertaking a pre-series photo shoot with South African counterpart Temba Bavuma.
During his press conference, Marsh indicated that Cummins was unlikely for the series opener, but may feature later in the series in Johannesburg or Potchefstrom – nearer to the start of the Test series in Durban on October 9.
“Pat’s main focus is the Test group, and a lot of our bowlers – and him in particular – are preparing for that Test series,” Marsh told reporters on Wednesday.
“I’m hopeful that he’ll feature in this series at some stage.”
MATCH CENTRE: Live scores from first ODI between South Africa and Australia
Cummins may leave the captaincy duties to his great mate whenever he does feature in the three-game series with Marsh telling reporters when asked of the captaincy situation: “I guess we’ll find out when he plays.”
Much has been made of the rainy weather in South Africa at this time of year, but the forecast is clear for the day game that falls on a public holiday in the Rainbow Nation.
More concerning for Australia is the fitness of Green, who scored a maiden Test century on homesoil against Bangladesh in Darwin last month.
The towering West Australian has been training in the nets, but it is uncertain when he will return to the line-up.
“He’s just building from a sore shoulder,” Marsh said of Green. “But expecting him to play a role in this series at some stage … unaware (if he will bowl) yet.
“We think a fast-bowling all-rounder is going to be important for these games.”
Green’s absence and that last comments could lead to a debut for New South Wales all-rounder Jack Edwards, who came into the squad following Billy Stanlake’s side injury in Zimbabwe.
If either Green or Edwards came into the side, teenager Ollie Peake could be the unlucky one to make way despite some impressive cameos at the death against Zimbabwe.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been gearing up as if they are going to play the first ODI, meaning Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson could be dumped from the side that won the nailbiting third ODI in Harare by one wicket.
Australia’s big guns will need to fire to turnaround a poor recent record in 50-over cricket in the nation that will co-host next year’s World Cup.
The visitors have won just two of their last 13 ODIs in South Africa, and have not won a 50-over series away to the Proteas in 15 years – when an 18-year-old Pat Cummins made his Test and ODI debuts.
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Zimbabwe v Australia 3rd ODI Highlights | 15:37
Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs
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