South Africa’s stand-in skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bat in the second one-day international on Friday as the Proteas look to seal the series against Australia.
Regular captain Temba Bavuma was rested as part of workload management and will return for the final match on Sunday, Cricket South Africa confirmed. Bavuma, who suffered a hamstring injury during June’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s, had recovered to lead the side in the opening ODI but was advised to sit out the second by the team’s medical staff.
South Africa also dropped off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, reported for a suspect bowling action on his debut in Cairns. Toni de Zorzi came in to open in place of Bavuma, while allrounder Senuran Muthusamy replaced Subrayen.
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Australia, who lost the first ODI by 98 runs, made a single change with fast bowler Xavier Bartlett replacing Ben Dwarshius.
Playing XIs:
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Source: Agency