Cummins made to wait for ODI return, Proteas play two Jansens

Pat Cummins will remain on ice for at least one more match, while Josh Inglis' broken finger has given Alex Carey an ODI lifeline with Australia playing for the series against South Africa at the Wanderers.

Selectors have put next month's Tests above a sense of occasion, opting against recalling Cummins for their tour's only visit to the iconic 'Bullring' where the fast bowler made his memorable Test debut 15 years ago.

Swing bowler Xavier Bartlett got the nod instead as Mitch Marsh chose to field at the toss. Mitchell Starc has been rotated out but Josh Hazlewood remains in the XI after featuring in Thursday's series-opening 67-run defeat in Durban.

South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams 

 

Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

The home side meanwhile have made four changes, the most notable seeing Marco Jansen's twin Duan picked for the first time to an international with his twin. Like Marco, Duan is a left-arm seam bowling allrounder.

Aiden Markram is back to open the batting after missing the first ODI for personal reasons. Tristan Stubbs is also back, named in the middle order, along with paceman Lizaad Williams.

Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Gerald Coetzee and Corbin Bosch have all been left out. 

On 'Pink Day' in honour of raising breast cancer awareness, Marsh said he hoped to expose "a little bit of moisture in the wicket" before it dried out in the afternoon.

"We were disappointed," he said of the first ODI defeat. "We know South Africa are a good side in these conditions. We thought for a large part of that game we were in it. So look for a response today.

"This place is a great place for to play cricket. It should be a great day for South African cricket."

Carey had previously been playing as a specialist batter alongside Inglis but Cameron Green's return saw him omitted at Kingsmead. But after Inglis was sent home with a fractured finger, the Test keeper will now take the gloves for the 50-over side.

On Sunday morning, captain Marsh and coach Andrew McDonald spent some time examining a reasonable grassy pitch – best known to Aussie fans for the famous 2006 ODI that saw the Proteas chase down 434.

Bartlett was among those who spent time practicing high catches on match eve in a bid to get a feel of the thin Highveld air. The altitude of the Johannesburg ground, at more than 1,6000 metres above sea level, can see mis-hits sail much further than they would elsewhere.

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First ODI: South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs

Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Warm-up match: October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 6pm AEST (10am local)

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster