MATCH: South Africa v Australia 1st ODI
DATE: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
TIME: 1430 hours local (1230 hours GMT)
VENUE: Centurion

The first of the five ODIs of the series between Australia and South Africa begins from Wednesday. Watch and bet on South Africa v Australia 2nd T20I live at bet365 > livestreaming > cricket from 1230 GMT

Past Record:
Australia’s tour of South Africa began with a 1-1 draw in the T20Is, with the visitors winning the first game and South Africa fighting back to take the second game from a position of no hope.

Interestingly, in the last two ODI series that the two sides have played against each other, South Africa have emerged to be the better of the two on both the occasions. Australia go into the ODIs, having beaten Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and that would hold them in a good stead.

Team News:
Australia (11/10 at Blue Square) could miss Shane Watson for this game after he complained of a hip injury which should allow Dave Warner (4/1 at Boylesports) to go in with Shaun Marsh at the top of the innings. However, the buzz earlier was that even Marsh had had to endure some fitness concern which means that one of Mitchell Marsh or Cameron White could make it to the side.

With Brett Lee out of the series, the pace bowling attack would be led by Doug Bollinger, but all eyes will be on the other two pace bowling options – and for contrasting reasons. Mitchell Johnson comes into the game after having been given a break from the T20Is given his lacklustre form. On the other hand, Patrick Cummins should make his ODI debut, after his show in the T20Is.

South Africa (4/5 at SportingBet) could look a tad different from the team that played the T20Is. If the weather and the pitch conditions allow, they could try and test Australia with a couple of spinners, including Imran Tahir.

The batting could be a bit top-heavy in Hashim Amla (7/2 at SportingBet), Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith and so much would be expected out of JP Duminy down the order.

Players to look out for
Faff du Plessis (9/1 at Blue Square) has been selected in the squad after showing early promise in the ODIs. He will look to dole out the performances with both, the bat and the ball. Australia will hope that Warner can get cracking after two successive ducks.

Prediction:
Again, if the South Africans can overcome their rustiness, they could go into the game as favourites.