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South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming ODI series against the Australian National Cricket Team. It will be a home series for the Proteas Men's team ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The freshly announced squad features some surprising names, including fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who played his last ODI match for the national side during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The ODI series will be against Australia from 24 to 30 September.
South Africa announce 16-member squad for the ODIs vs Australia
The first series of the home summer is scheduled to start in Durban on 24 September at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium. For the remaining two matches, teams will have to travel to Johannesburg and Potchefstroom, respectively. The second and third ODIs will be on September 27 and September 30. Throughout the series, Temba Bavuma will lead the hosts.
The inclusion of the fast bowler Gerald Coetzee in the ODI series is a surprising call made by the South Africa Men's team selectors, which is believed to be because of the injury to their ace pacer, Kagiso Rabada. Rabada has been ruled out of the series because of an injury.
Why does South Africa recall Gerald Coetzee for the ODI series against Australia?
While Coetzee's talent was never in doubt, it was the set of injuries that had barred him from playing at the highest level of the game. In the last three years, the seamer had to deal with multiple injury issues, but recently featured for the national A team.
"It's great to see Gerald back in the fold and, by all accounts, he's been bowling nicely and quickly," South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, said on Monday.
With the addition of Coetzee, the Proteas' pace attack will revolve around Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman.
Shukri Conrad explains the additions of Quinton de Kock and David Miller
The 16-member squad for the three-match series against Australia is a clear indication of how the Proteas could actually shape their team for the upcoming 50-over World Cup. Experienced keeper-batter Quinton de Kock and David Miller, who are actually not amongst the players under central contracts, have been named for the series.
Regarding the inclusion of Quinton de Kock, the head coach mentioned that the ODI format suits the keeper-batters most. So, whenever they feel the need for de Kock, they will call him up for international duties.
"Quinny is going to be playing whenever we need him to play. DI cricket is probably Quinny's best format, and he will play all the ODIs. David will play Australia and probably miss Bangladesh because he has ILT20 commitments," Shukri Conrad said about Quinton de Kock and David Miller.
South Africa ODI squad for the three-match series vs Australia:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs.
