Proteas vs Australia series preview: What ICC’s latest player rankings mean

The latest International Cricket Council (ICC) player rankings have arrived at a crucial time for the Proteas.

South Africa are preparing for a blockbuster clash with Australia at the end of the month.

They welcome their fierce rival for a three-game ODI series from 24 September, followed by a crucial Test series in October.

Here’s what we learned from the ICC’s latest player rankings, following the Proteas squad announcement.

Who made the cut for the Proteas ODI squad?

Possibly the most talked-about omission from South Africa’s ODI team is Dewald Brevis.

During the victorious tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe, the batsman was crucial for the Proteas.

He was named Player of the Series, according to ESPN Cricinfo statistics, scoring 226 runs across 4 games and taking 1 wicket.

This helped the right-hander climb to 4^th in the ICC’s list of the top T20I batsmen.

While Brevis’s absence for the Proteas vs Australia has raised questions, the answer may be simple on paper.

He will likely focus on rest and recovery, ahead of potentially joining the Test squad or being called for the Bangladesh and England series.

With his rise up the rankings, Brevis is expected to be an important feature of the Proteas squad moving forward.

Full squad list for Australia ODI series

• Temba Bavuma (captain)
• Ottneil Baartman
• Corbin Bosch
• Matthew Breetzke
• Gerald Coetzee
• Quinton de Kock
• Tony de Zorzi
• Bjorn Fortuin
• Marco Jansen
• Keshav Maharaj
• Kwena Maphaka
• Aiden Markram
• David Miller
• Lungi Ngidi
• Ryan Rickleton
• Tristan Stubbs

Jansen, Rabada drop on Test rankings

Meanwhile, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada have both dropped a place in the ICC’s Test bowler list.

For Jansen, this matters because he will have a chance to correct this in October.

The lanky left-armer is likely to be included in the Proteas’ Test squad to face Australia, which will have implications for the World Test Championship battle.

A good response with the ball against a quality batting line-up would see Jansen regaining ground.

Rabada, meanwhile, will not have an immediate chance to climb the rankings.

He is set to miss the ODI series with a hamstring strain, and Cricket South Africa has remained silent on whether this will extend into the Test series.

This alone raises major questions for the Proteas and the depth of their bowling attack.

Bavuma retains position in Test batting list

The Proteas captain has retained his place among the ICC’s top 10 batsmen in the Test format.

This is fitting, considering stability will be front and centre for Temba Bavuma against Australia.

He will lead South Africa into the first game of the ODI series in Durban on 24 September.

Bavuma’s composure will be crucial for a team facing an Australia squad that will test them across days and weeks.

Upcoming match details

ODI series vs Australia

1^st ODI: 24 September, Kingsmead, Durban (10:00)

2^nd ODI: 27 September, Wanderers, Johannesburg (10:00)

3^rd ODI: 30 September, NWC Oval, Potchefstroom (13:30)

Test series vs Australia

1^st Test: 9-13 October, Kingsmead, Durban (09:30)

2^nd Test: 18-22 October, St George’s, Gqeberha (10:00)

3^rd Test: 27-31 October, Newlands, Cape Town (10:30)

Details correct according to Cricket South Africa on Instagram.

WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE PROTEAS SQUAD FOR THE TESTS AGAINST AUSTRALIA?