Australia will take on South Africa in the first of the three-match T20I series. This article provides details about South Africa’s Playing 11 vs Australia for the first match of the series.
South Africa Playing 11 vs Australia- 1st T20I, South Africa Tour of Australia 2025:
Openers: Ryan Rickelton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk)
South Africa would like to have a good start to the three-match T20I series against Australia after losing to New Zealand in the final of the tri-series in Zimbabwe.
The Proteas would be confident of doing so as they are pretty much back to full strength with the return of players like captain Aiden Markram and senior fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
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Both players missed South Africa’s last T20I assignment as they were rested after their match-winning performances in the WTC final.
The Aiden Markram-led side would want to put their best foot forward in the series opener against the home team, Australia.
The visitors are expected to open the innings with Ryan Rickelton and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, both of whom are quite new to international cricket and would wish for a good start to the tour.
Both Rickelton and Pretorius are known for their attacking strokeplay and would like to play in the same way to get the team off to a solid start in the first six overs.
Pretorius, in particular, has been in good form and played a major role in guiding his team to the final of the tri-series.
The batter would like to keep up his good work in the opening match of the T20I series against Australia.
It would be interesting to see who keeps wickets in the first match, as both Rickolton and Pretorius are wicketkeeper-batters.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Aiden Markram (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch,
The opening pair will be followed by a middle order which has a good blend of youth and experience and includes the likes of captain Aiden Markram, senior batter Rassie van der Dussen.
Other than Markram and Dussen, the middle order also comprises young batters like Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis.
The top six batters will have to do the bulk of the scoring for the team to post an above-par total against an in-form Australian batting lineup.
The pair of Linde and Bosch will be entrusted with the responsibility of finishing things off with the bat in the final five overs.
Bowlers: Nandre Burger, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
The bowling department has been boosted by the return of experienced fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who will take the new ball and should be partnered by Corbin Bosch from the other end.
The Aiden Markram-led side is expected to go with four fast bowling options and a sole specialist spinner in the form of George Linde.
As far as the other two fast bowling options are concerned, it will be Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger on whom the Proteas will bank to pick wickets in the middle overs, along with George Linde.
South African captain Aiden Markram will fulfill the role of the sixth bowling option and will chip in with an over or two if needed.
