The first of three T20 International between South Africa and Australia takes place at Kingsmead, Durban on Wednesday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
This is a 3 match series with all games staged at Kingsmead, after which the teams will contest a 5 match ODI series.
Let's start with the squads.
The Proteas are resting de Kock, Klaasen Nortje and Rabada until the ODI's kick off and will select from the following squad.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala , Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs , Lizaad Williams and Rassie van der Dussen.
Australia are without a whole host of big names with Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and David Warner
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (Wk), Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Jason Behrendorff, Matt Short, Adam Zampa. Matthew Wade, Ashton Turner
Recent Form
South Africa
The Proteas were beaten 2-1 by West Indies in a 3 match home series in March, losing a rain affected opener by 3 wickets, squaring things up with a 6 wicket win and then losing the decider by 7 runs.
Australia:
Australia haven't played a T20 wince the World Cup late last year when they missed out on making the semi finals after finishing third in their group behind New Zealand and England on net run rate.
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 22 times with 8 wins for South Africa and 14 for Australia
The most recent meeting came in the World T20 staged in UAE in 2021 and Australia won a pool stage match by 5 wickets.
In Feb 2020 a 3 match series staged in South Africa was won 2-1 by Australia
Kingsmead, Durban
Over the course of the last decade South Africa have won 3 and lost 2 of 5 T20's at Kingsmead
The teams have met twice in Durban and it's one win a piece
The most recent T20 at this venue came in Feb 2020 and England 204/7 held on at the death to beat the Proteas by 2 runs.
You can check the weather forecast here
The Betting - 1st T20 Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
At the time of writing South Africa are 21/20 to win the match and Australia are 0.67/1 and the teams are the same prices to hit the most sixes.
Reeza Henridks is 3/1 favourite to top score for South Africa and Travis Head is the same price to do likewise for Australia
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
With World Cup squads (ODI's) to be announced shortly the 50 over format will be the priority for both sides on this tour but nonetheless it's an to get some white ball momentum going. Whichever of the slower bowlers SA go in with will have a big role to play with Rabada and Nortje absent.
Initially I was leaning towards the Proteas to win this one although I've cooled on it as their price has shortened from 13/10 at one stage.
Instead I'll take a couple of Man of the Match interests and Aiden Markram (who can chip in with the odd wicket) is my pick for the hosts whilst Marcus Stoinis is an attractive price for the Aussies.
Bets: Man of the Match Markram at 10/1 with Sportingbet
Man of the Match Marcus Stoinis at 12/1 with Sportingbet
Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Subscribe to our free weekly betting mailer which will include our best and value bets below.
