In what feels like yet another cut-and-paste series, the Australians will face off against the Proteas in a five match ODI Series following their triumph in the three T20s.
While both sides will undoubtedly rest key men at stages of the tournament, it is an opportunity for fringe players to impress as both sides look to solidify their squads for the World Cup in three months’ time.
Australia is looking to rest James Faulkner and Mitch Starc to give them time in Shield cricket, and have named a squad for the first two ODIs without a dedicated spinner, thanks to the WACA surface. Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey and Steve Smith are all keen to impress, with lots of heat being applied by plenty of batsmen during the domestic one day competition.
Matt Wade too will need to show purpose to restore the selectors’ faith.
South Africa will be without JP Duminy, who aggravated a knee injury during the T20 series, in which he captained the touring side. This will give an opportunity for South Africa to either give Rilee Rossouw or Farhaan Behardien a crack in the lower order, or even play both Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell in the same side in a head to head competition for the allrounder spot.
They’ve named a full strength Top 5, a line-up which has been decimating sides for 12 months.
Form (most recent match first)
Australia: WWWLWLLWWW
South Africa: NWWWWLWWWL
Both teams had success last up, with Australia beating Pakistan 3-0, and South Africa dispatching New Zealand in the first two games, before the last match of the series was rained out 30 overs in.
Last time they met: It seems so long ago since the Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, where the Proteas thumped the Aussies by six wickets. While on paper it looked like school mates Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were the difference, the real damage was done by Dale Steyn up front, leading to a modest total from the Aussies.
Players to Watch
Australia: Finch went through a fairly solid form slump after the Aussie summer. While his T20 form has been good, with Cam White and Usman Khawaja (currently injured) roaring into form, he can’t afford setbacks.
South Africa: Hashim Amla is my pick as the best batsmen across both ODIs and Tests at present. He’s in form and was rested from the T20 squad to freshen up. There will be a lot of pressure on him to not only get South Africa off to a good start, but also help guide Quinton de Kock in the early overs.
Key match up
Quicks versus quicks: There are just so many delicious match ups in their series, but I’m really excited to see who takes the honours out of the pace men. Morne Morkel seems even more deadly with white ball in hand, and he’s backed up by the best quick of the modern generation in Dale Steyn.
On the other side of the fence, Mitch Johnson and co. will be sprinting in to knock the South Africans over. There will be some special interest in Josh Hazelwood, who gets a berth after tearing through sides in the Brisbane leg of the Matador Cup.
Australia may look to bring other pace men back in after the first two ODIs, with Pat Cummins Faulkner and Starc all missing out on selection for the games in Perth.
Squads
South Africa: AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, Farhaan Behardien, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Shane Watson
My XI
Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
Despite his great ODI leg in Pakistan, I’d expect selectors to leave Steve Smith on the bench. Maxwell provides more powerful hitting and his offies will be favoured over the Leg Spin of Smith as a backup to the quicks. Nathan Coulter-Nile will most likely sit out to make way for Kane Richardson, despite his knowledge of the WACA.
Prediction: 3-2 South Africa
Every time I shook my Magic 8 Ball it told me ‘bugger off, I have no clue’. So I’ve picked 3-2 to South Africa as I believe it will be a tightly fought series, but Saffas will have a smallest of edges due to a more in-form middle order.
13th man
Guest
Yeah cannot believe Wade. Hartley was in devastating form in the Matador Cup and well outscored Wade with the bat. Hope this is the last we see of Wade.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Not doubting the quality of the contest, more the fact it's been slapped in between two other series in packed schedule. It works out well as a lead up to WC, but fatigue is going to be an issue.
Don Freo
Guest
This doesn't seem like cut and paste to me Gareth. I love a good OD game...and there is some sound opposition.
Don Freo
Guest
I think you might be running a one way conversation Scubes. Two comments by you, saying the same thing and the only response is mine.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd like Oz to bat first too. I hate it when the game ends too early. Saffers will make between 140-160.
Don Freo
Guest
Richardson has done very little to earn selection. He is there by default and as a reserve.
Don Freo
Guest
Parnell is no better than Philander with the bat. They might bring Parnell in because Philander has lost it with the ball.
Scuba
Guest
Yep, typical Australian response to an alleged "road". 264 is a serious score and, if not scored in the dying form of the game, would be treated so
Scuba
Guest
Who cares? Not the BCCI with their focus on the money god that is T20. Not the purists who care only for tests. As much as I hate to say it (as a child of the 80s who started following cricket based on the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup) 50 over cricket is going the way of the dodo
Bobbo7
Guest
Interesting series. Amla and AB Deviliers are pure class and will make runs. du Plessus also in top form. Australia have the longer order but Clarke aside I think there is more class in the SA top 4. Bowling goes to SA with Steyn and Morkel. But will be an interesting series.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Garbage bowling, Garbage fielding. Garbage wicket.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
He's been ridiculously mediocre in his ODI career. He lacks the variation or speed, too predictable.
ajay
Guest
meanwhile Rohit Sharma* 227* (159 ) and still not out i rhink 250 is on cards
NickBrisbane
Guest
I would have thought Philander was a good OD bowler
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Hazelwood bowls death for NSW.
I think you got it spot on why he makes me so nervous, he can be wildly inaccurate at times
Shortfineleg
Guest
I think you are right Dylan. And 3 of the 6 bowlers aren't 10 overs certainties. You wouldn't bowl Watson for more than 4-5. Marsh is likely to tear something over 10 and Maxwell could be targeted.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Tahir does exactly what every leggie should do. Get's some flight, and rips them through. He does need to work on his accuracy, but still, he's a good bowler. Won't get a run at the WACA though. And rightly so.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Right on. I know Bailey is a shocking Test player (no off side play), but he's a great ODI history. Plenty of gears.
Dylan
Guest
Anyone else think were a bowler short? We only have six people who can bowl and thats including watson who i dont think will bowl much. I would drop maxwell for richardson and swap bailey for smith. Neither has been in good form and this way we'd have 4 good bowlers an allrounder and two guys who can bowl a few overs if needed.