South Africa vs Australia Prediction, 1st ODI – Who will win today’s match between SA vs AUS?

South Africa (SA) take on Australia (AUS) in the first ODI in a three-match series at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban on Thursday, September 24.

The Proteas come into the series short on pace options, with injuries to Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartmann, and Kwena Maphaka. Temba Bavuma's men will be looking to put on a good showing to kick off the series on a high note.

The Aussies come into the series on the back of a 3-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe and will be bolstered by the return of their premier quicks in captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. They will be looking to continue the same form into the series against the Proteas.

SA vs AUS: Match Details

Kingsmead Cricket Stadium: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium is expected to favour the seam bowlers, offering consistent bounce and carry. The batters will have to get their eye in before trying to score big, and adjust to the pace of the wicket. The team winning the toss would want to bat first and would look to get a score on the board.

SA vs AUS: Predicted Playing 11s

South Africa (SA):

Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams

Australia (AUS):

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw,  Alex Carey (wk), Ollie Peake, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood.

SA vs AUS: Probable Best Performers of the Match:

Probable Best Batter: Cooper Connolly

Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly has grown into the number 3 slot and will be looking to continue his fine form from the series against Zimbabwe. Connolly, who was Player of the Series, scored 150 runs in three innings, with two half-centuries, and will be looking to convert the starts into a big score.

Probable Best Bowler: Nathan Ellis

Nathan Ellis can be the key bowler for the Aussies in this contest. Functioning as the leader of the attack in the absence of the famed pace trio, Ellis took nine wickets in three games against Zimbabwe and will be looking to continue the same form for the Aussies.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match