Proteas: Start time for match against Australia on Thursday

The first series of the home summer gets underway in Durban on 24 September at Kingsmead Stadium as the Proteas and Australia go into battle once again.

After Thursday’s opening ODI – which falls on Heritage Day – the two sides then head to the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for the annual Pink Day on 27 September. The series concludes at the NWC Oval in Potchefstroom on 30 September.

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.

This Thursday’s first ODI will start at 10:00, and the good news is that no rain is predicted in Durban.

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 (Coetzee) back in the fold and, by all accounts, he’s been bowling nice and quickly.

“Ottneil (Baartman) 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.”

Conrad added: “Pink Day is a massive occasion on our cricket calendar, and South Africans have always come out in their numbers to support the initiative, and the excitement in and around the squad is palpable on the day.

“We know the Wanderers will be a spectacle in pink come the 27th, and we’re looking forward to playing our part in raising awareness and support for the fight against breast cancer.”

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), Nqobani Mokoena (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), 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