Cricket

South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI Preview & Tips – South Africa tipped to win heavyweight ODI clash against Australia

By Ben Darvill

1 hour ago

Ben Darvill 1 hour ago

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South Africa will host Australia in three ODI’s
South Africa have won two of their last three ODI’s against the Aussies (L1)
Preview, stats & head to head

Quinton de Kock of South Africa (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI Preview & Tips
Head To Head
South Africa Form
Australia Form

South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI Preview & Tips

South Africa reinstate a range of big names to their ODI side after surging to a 3-0 ODI win over Namibia with a youthful outfit.

Australia beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in their recent ODI series with two big wins preceding a tight one-wicket win in their final ODI.

Quinton de Kock averages 46.56 in the ODI game for South Africa
South Africa have won their last three ODI’s

Head To Head

South Africa have secured six wins across their last 10 ODI’s against Australia, with the latter winning the other four matches.

South Africa Form

South Africa are looking to edge up the men’s ICC ODI rankings after slipping down to fourth behind India at the summit and New Zealand and Australia in second and third respectively.

While they arrive on a three-game winning run in the 50 over game, their 3-0 triumph over Namibia came with a very young side that made the most out of their time in the spotlight with an impressive run of wins.

Interestingly, South Africa were not at their best prior to this run. Indeed, two wins across their previous seven outings shows they struggled for momentum, with this run started by a crushing 342-run loss to England last September.

Fortunately for South Africa, they welcome back some top-quality talent in the form of Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, David Miller and more. The return of their big guns will buoy the side as they look to start their series against Australia with a win.

With six wins coming from their last eight ODI’s against the tourists, I predict that the Proteas will start the series with a win. Quinton de Kock was averaging 70.60 in ODI’s in 2025 and boasts an average of 46.56 across his career. I back one of South Africa’s great batters to start as he means to go on in the series with a good score.

Australia Form

Australia’s ODI series against Zimbabwe was a welcome return to winning ways after their stunning 2-1 series defeats to both Pakistan and Bangladesh.

While both Pakistan and Bangladesh have the ability to challenge most sides, the Aussies would fancy themselves to come out on top over the course of a series. Slumping to four defeats in six against the pair was a major failure for one of the best in the business.

Against Zimbabwe, Australia managed to secure a series win to nil, but it was hardly comfortable. The third and final ODI saw the Aussies barely get over the line in a thrilling clash. Set 272 to win, Australia secured victory with one wicket and one delivery to spare.

While the likes of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc return to the side, I predict that the Aussies will have to do things the hard way against their hosts. I am backing Australia to slump to a third defeat in their last four ODI’s against South Africa as the home side go 1-0 up in the series.

Verdict

South Africa v Australia 1st ODI

I am backing Australia to slide to a frustrating loss in the opening ODI as Quinton de Kock leads South Africa into a 1-0 lead.

de Kock 30+ Runs

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