Freshened after tormenting Australia in the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s in June, South African stars Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram will skipper the Proteas in white ball series against the Aussies in the top end next month.
After a 147-run partnership between the pair at Lord’s helped clinch South Africa’s biggest ever trophy, while ending Australia’s defence of the WTC, both Markram and Bavuma missed South Africa’s recent series against Zimbabwe.
But their presence as captains of the ODI and T20 sides respectively signal South Africa’s intent for the two series to be hosted in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland against Australia in August.
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While Australia will bid to clinch its current five match T20 series against the West Indies in St Kitts in a game beginning at 8am AEST on Saturday, the South Africa white ball series shape as critical steps towards the next World Cups in both formats.
The Aussies, which have three more matches left on the West Indies tour, will then have the three match series against South Africa and five encounters against India to identify a squad for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India next February and March.
The 50-over encounters, which will be played in Cairns and Mackay between August 19 to 24 following the T20s, give Australia decent hit-outs against a nation that will c0-host the 2027 ODI World Cup along with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Markram, who clinched the crucial wicket of Steve Smith just as the superstar looked set for a massive score in the opening innings of the WTC and then made a matchwinning 136 in the second innings, was rested from South Africa’s series against Zimbabwe. He will captain the Proteas in the T20s and also feature in the ODIs.
Bavuma, who batted bravely after injuring a hamstring against Australia when leading his nation to a famous triumph, returns to skipper his side in the ODIs, with South Africa expecting to field near full-strength squads for both white ball series.
South African coach Shukri Conrad said the Proteas were looking forward to the challenge ahead against Australia given the importance of the series from a preparatory sense for the World Cups over the next two years.
“It’s great to have our senior players back in the mix after their rest following the WTC Final,” Conrad said in a statement, as reported by ESPN.
“Their experience and quality add real value to the group as we continue to build a strong core in both formats. Every series from here on plays a part in shaping our squads for next year’s T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup at home in 2027.”
