CAIRNS: Australia and South Africa will shift focus to the 50-over format when their three-match One-day International series begins at Cazalys Stadium on Tuesday, the first assignment in the format for either side since the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

For Australia, the immediate obstacles may not just be South Africa’s attack but also the dew and a 22-year-old batter dubbed “Baby AB.” Dewald Brevis lit up the T20I series with a blistering 125 not out in Durban followed by 53 off 26 balls in Cairns, including four successive sixes against Aaron Hardie. He is set to make his ODI debut in the opener, and his fearless hitting could again test an Australian side still recalibrating after the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell from the format.

Brevis was not the only factor in the T20s. Maxwell’s unbeaten 62 from 36 balls carried Australia to a thrilling two-wicket win in Saturday’s decider, sealing the series 2-1, but the night also underlined how much the dew can shape contests in North Queensland.

Kagiso Rabada lost control of a beamer in the 18th over as the ball slipped from his hand, before Maxwell dispatched the ensuing free hit for six. “Playing with dew is not something we’re used to in Australia,” captain Mitchell Marsh admitted on Monday. “Hopefully there’s not too much and it’s an even ball game.”

Australia come into the series with a reshuffled squad. Injuries to Matt Short, Mitchell Owen and Lance Morris have opened doors for Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie and Matt Kuhnemann, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc continue to rest.

Marnus Labuschagne, omitted from the Test side earlier this year, returns seeking form in a format where he once averaged above 50. Marsh confirmed the importance of a sharp start. “We start the series fresh, 0-0. In these shorter series it’s really important to get off quickly,” he said.

South Africa, who lifted the World Test Championship mace at Lord’s earlier this year, have welcomed back Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj. Wiaan Mulder, fresh from a domestic triple century, strengthens the all-round options alongside Bavuma’s leadership.

The visitors also boast promising depth with Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi in the squad, though Brevis remains the headline act.

“It’s always exciting when you see the young faces,” Bavuma said. “The big talk has been on Brevis — excited to see what he can bring in one-day cricket as well.”

The rivalry between these two sides remains rich. At the 2023 World Cup, South Africa dominated the group match but Australia prevailed in the semi-final. Their Champions Trophy meeting this March was washed out. Now, with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon — to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia — this series serves as the opening step in another four-year build.

Conditions in Cairns could again aid the bowlers as they did when Australia hosted New Zealand in 2022, when no side crossed 270 in six innings. But the batting-friendly surface used for the final T20 hints at a more balanced contest if dew permits. After Tuesday, the series moves to Mackay’s refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena for the final two matches.

Squads:

AUSTRALIA: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

SOUTH AFRICA: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025