Australia name first ODI XI as new-look middle order braces for South Africa test

Australia announced the playing XI for the first ODI against South Africa, which will be contested on Thursday, September 7. The ODI series will conclude on September 17, ahead of the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be played in India. The first three matches will be played in Bloemfontein, one each in Centurion and the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will lead the side, with regular skipper Pat Cummins missing out. The 31-year-old will become Australia's 29th men's ODI captain during the first game of the five-match series. Apart from announcing the debutant skipper, Australia also named a new middle order and bowling attack. Veteran opener David Warner has been named in the XI after being rested in the T20I series. 

Meanwhile, wicketkeepers Alex Carey and Josh Inglis have been named in the XI and will bat in the middle order. Moreover, allrounders Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis will bat at No.4 and No.7, respectively. 

Australia, who are coming off a 3-0 whitewash against the Proteas in the recently concluded T20I series, will be eager to win the ODI series as well. Marsh was key for the tourists, winning his maiden series as a skipper and also emerged as the Player of the Series for smashing 186 runs in three games.

With just one month away from the start of the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup, South Africa will look to gain some momentum in the ODI series. Temba Bavuma and Co. will attempt to use this series to boost the confidence of the team for the ICC global event, which will be contested in India from October 5 to November 19.

Australia XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Tanveer Sangha, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen