Australia and South Africa Clash in ODI Series Opener; Rabada Out

Australia and South Africa are set to begin their three-match One Day International (ODI) series following an exciting T20I series, which Australia won. The first match will take place on March 15, 2025, marking the return of the 50-over format for both teams since the 2025 Champions Trophy. This series is particularly notable as it signifies the start of a new era for Australia in ODI cricket after the departure of former captain Steve Smith.

Just before the toss, South Africa announced that pacer Kagiso Rabada would be ruled out of the series due to injury. This absence could significantly impact South Africa’s bowling strategy against a formidable Australian lineup.

Match Details and Team Lineups

The toss for the match is scheduled for 09:30 AM IST, and fans are eager to see how both teams will adjust to the absence of key players.

The South African squad, under the leadership of captain Temba Bavuma, includes players such as Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, and Lungi Ngidi. The full lineup features:

– Temba Bavuma (c)
– Ryan Rickelton (w)
– Lhuan-dre Pretorius
– Aiden Markram
– Dewald Brevis
– Tristan Stubbs
– Wiaan Mulder
– Keshav Maharaj
– Kagiso Rabada
– Lungi Ngidi
– Nandre Burger
– Matthew Breetzke
– Senuran Muthusamy
– Tony de Zorzi
– Corbin Bosch
– Prenelan Subrayen
– Kwena Maphaka

On the other hand, Australia, captained by Mitchell Marsh, features a robust team including Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. The Australian squad is as follows:

– Travis Head
– Mitchell Marsh (c)
– Cameron Green
– Marnus Labuschagne
– Josh Inglis (w)
– Aaron Hardie
– Cooper Connolly
– Ben Dwarshuis
– Josh Hazlewood
– Adam Zampa
– Nathan Ellis
– Matthew Kuhnemann
– Alex Carey
– Xavier Bartlett

As the teams prepare for the opening match, the excitement among fans is palpable, with many looking forward to seeing how Australia’s new direction unfolds in this series. With the ODI format being less frequently played, this series promises to capture the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.