Australia and South Africa are set to lock horns in the first ODI of a three-match series on Tuesday, August 19, at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns. Fresh off a hard-fought T20I series win, the reigning world champions will look to carry their momentum into the 50-over format under Mitchell Marsh’s captaincy.
The Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma, will aim to bounce back strongly after losing the T20I series and test themselves against a side returning to ODIs for the first time since their Champions Trophy semi-final exit in March.
Both teams have plenty to prove, setting up a contest that promises intensity, quality cricket, and strong betting angles for fans.
Head-to-head record: Australia vs. South Africa in ODIs
Australia and South Africa have faced each other 110 times in ODIs, producing one of the most competitive rivalries in world cricket. The Proteas hold a narrow edge with 55 wins, while the Aussies have claimed 51 victories.
Three matches ended in a tie and one produced no result. Interestingly, when it comes to ODIs played in Australia, the battle is perfectly balanced at 19 wins each, highlighting how closely matched these two sides have been over the years.
- Total matches: 110
- Australia wins: 51
- South Africa wins: 55
- Tied/No result: 4
Top players to watch: Batters & Bowlers
Batters to watch
Travis Head (AUS): The aggressive left-handed opener has shown flashes of brilliance in ODIs this year, scoring 122 runs in four innings with a half-century. Head has the ability to turn the game on its head, and a big knock could be just around the corner.
Temba Bavuma (SA): Returning to the ODI fold, the South African skipper will aim to lead from the front.
Bowlers to watch
Kagiso Rabada (SA): The spearhead of South Africa’s pace attack continues to deliver in crunch moments. He has picked up 11 wickets in his last five ODIs while maintaining control even on flat pitches.
Josh Hazlewood (AUS): Tasked with leading the pace unit in the absence of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Hazlewood’s accuracy and bounce will be key.
AUS vs. SA betting odds & predictions: Who has the edge?
According to Dafabet, Australia enter the contest as the clear favourites at 1.45, reflecting their home advantage and recent T20I series win. South Africa, meanwhile, sit at 2.76, making them the underdogs but still a dangerous side capable of upsetting the odds.
Odds* | |
Australia | 1.45 |
South Africa | 2.76 |
*odds are correct at the time of publishing
TSN’s Top 3 Predictions:
- Australia to win the 1st ODI: Home conditions and batting firepower give them an upper hand.
- Travis Head to score 40+ runs: The opener will look to convert his starts into a match-defining knock.
- Kagiso Rabada 2+ wickets: His recent form suggests he can trouble Australia’s top order once again.
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Australia vs. South Africa: Expected playing XIs and team news
Australia Team News
Australia begin a new ODI era without Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, who have retired from the format. Mitchell Owen is set for his debut, adding late-order hitting after strong domestic form.
Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return fresh, while Matt Short’s recovery boosts the top order. With a mix of batting depth and all-round options in Green, Marsh, and Short, plus the pace of Lance Morris, the Aussies look well-balanced for Cairns.
Australia (predicted playing XI): Travis Head, Matt Short, Mitchell Marsh (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Mitchell Owen, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Lance Morris, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
South Africa Team News
South Africa rely on skipper Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram to anchor the batting, with Dewald Brevis expected to make an impact in ODIs after his T20 exploits. Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs add youthful promise but remain largely untested.
Their bowling attack looks more settled, led by Rabada, Ngidi, and Maharaj, with Nandre Burger’s left-arm pace providing variety. Early breakthroughs and a strong top-order effort will be key to challenging Australia in their own conditions.
South Africa (predicted playing XI): Temba Bavuma (C), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Matthew Breetzke (WK), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger
AUS vs. SA live scorecard: 1st ODI
To follow the action between the Australia vs. South Africa live, you can make use of the live scorecard feature on Parimatch's website.
Navigate to the game of your choice and click the scorecard icon to follow along, and bet live with the action with a trusted site.
Where to watch AUS vs. SA 1st ODI in India
- Venue: Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns
- Date & Time (IST): Tuesday, August 19, 10:00 AM
- Live Broadcast and Streaming Details: JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App and Website)
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