Australia won the toss and elected to bowl in the opening ODI against South Africa at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. The match also marked maiden ODI appearances for South Africa’s Dewald Brevis and spin-bowling allrounder Prenelan Subrayen.

The Proteas were dealt a major setback minutes before the toss as pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the series with ankle inflammation. Young quick Kwena Maphaka, who impressed in the T20I series, was added to the squad but did not make the playing XI.

Brevis, who impressed with the bat in the T20I series, stepped up for his first ODI outing, adding to his two Tests and 10 T20Is. Subrayen, meanwhile, followed up his recent Test debut with his first 50-over cap.

Australia’s Line-Up

Stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh opted to open the innings with Travis Head. Marnus Labuschagne was promoted to No. 3, with Cameron Green at No. 4. Aaron Hardie filled the void left by Glenn Maxwell’s retirement, while Josh Hazlewood returned to the ODI side.

Several senior players are missing for Australia — Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been rested, Steven Smith has retired, while Matt Short and Mitchell Owen are unavailable due to injury.

Playing XIs

Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

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