South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI: Edwards debuts as Australia bowl first
Australia elected to bowl first against South Africa in the opening ODI in Durban, with Jack Edwards making his debut and Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood returning.
DURBAN, South Africa, Sept. 24 — Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa in the opening ODI of their three-match series at Kingsmead on Thursday.
Jack Edwards made his ODI debut for Australia, while Cameron Green returned to the side after missing the Zimbabwe series with a shoulder issue. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also returned to the attack.
Australia rested captain Pat Cummins, with Mitchell Marsh leading the side. Alex Carey was left out as Green returned, while Edwards replaced the unavailable options in Australia’s all-rounder group.
South Africa made several changes amid a shortage of frontline fast bowlers. Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin were both selected, while Gerald Coetzee returned to the ODI side for the first time since the 2023 World Cup semifinal.
Quinton de Kock opened with Tony de Zorzi, with captain Temba Bavuma at No. 3. Ryan Rickelton and David Miller were included in the middle order, while Aiden Markram was unavailable for the first match of the series.
Australia’s attack includes Starc, Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa, with Green and Edwards providing all-round options.
The match is the first of three ODIs between the teams in South Africa, with the series forming part of preparations for the next 50-over World Cup.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt.), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj.
Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt.), Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Live update: South Africa were 166-4 after 32.3 overs.
Main sources:
- Cricket Australia: Edwards to debut, Starc returns for first ODI — Australia’s official cricket outlet, covering the toss, teams and Jack Edwards’ ODI debut.
