Proteas unveil squad for ODI series against Australia
· The South African
A 16-player Proteas squad has been confirmed for the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia from 24-30 September.
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Temba Bavuma will captain the side, which sees Lions fast bowler Gerald Coetzee recalled to the ODI setup, having last featured in the 50-over format at the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
The 25-year-old forms part of a strong pace contingent alongside Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi and all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen.
Lions spinner Bjorn Fortuin, who is currently leading the Proteas on their white-ball tour of Namibia, and Keshav Maharaj, complete the bowling options.
On the batting front, Aiden Markram will be available for the second and third ODIs, while Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi provide further options at the top of the order.
Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs add firepower to the middle order.
South Africa last faced Australia on home soil in 2023, when the Proteas came from 2-0 down to claim the five-match series 3-2.
Head coach Shukri Conrad said: “It’s exciting to start our home summer against Australia in what will no doubt be a competitive series.
“With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping the squad as we build towards the tournament, while also giving those players who are in the frame opportunities when we face Bangladesh and England later in the season.
“We have a clear idea of the combinations we want and the roles we need players to fulfill.
“From a batting perspective, we’ve looked at making sure we have a middle order that can be explosive but have the ability to absorb pressure and take the innings quite deep. That balance is going to be important for us.
“Unfortunately, Kagiso (Rabada) will miss out on this series due to injury, but his absence creates an opportunity for the other players to step up.
“It’s great to see Gerald back in the fold and, by all accounts, he’s been bowling nice and quickly.
“Ottneil has shown how effective he can be at the death, and this is another opportunity for him to show what he can offer us in the 50-over format.”
The Proteas most recently came up trumps in a Tri-Series against Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Proteas Men’s Squad against Australia
Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Gerald Coetzee (DP World Lions), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Tony de Zorzi (YesPlay Western Province Cobras), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), and Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).
Fixtures
1st ODI – Thursday, 24 September at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia – Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
2nd ODI – Sunday, 27 September at 10:00
‘Pink day’: South Africa vs Australia – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
3rd ODI – Wednesday, 30 September at 13:30
South Africa vs Australia – NWC Oval, Potchefstroom