Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Australia are set to play their first match in Darwin in 17 years, with the last being three ODIs against Bangladesh in 2008. Mitchell Marsh’s team, fresh off a 5-0 series victory in the West Indies, take on South Africa in the first of three T20Is on August 10. Australia welcome back a few regular faces, most notably Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood.
The series whitewash Caribbean certainly increased confidence in Australia’s T20 setup ahead of next year’s World Cup, but it has also created some potential selection headaches. Here is a look at how the hosts could line up as they aim to build on the momentum of recent results.
Australia squad for T20I series vs South Africa: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
Australia predicted XI for 1st T20I against South Africa in Darwin: 1. Travis Head, 2. Mitchell Marsh (c), 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Cameron Green, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Mitchell Owen, 7. Tim David, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Josh Hazlewood, 10. Nathan Ellis, 11. Adam Zampa
How will the batting lineup look?
Travis Head is back in the squad and will open alongside captain Mitchell Marsh. “It’ll be myself and Heady up the top for the foreseeable future,” Marsh told reporters in Darwin on Friday, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
“Obviously we’ve played a lot together, (we’ve) got a great relationship, so (we’ll) start there.”
Matthew Short, who missed the West Indies series due to injury, is in the squad, but there may be no room for him in the initial XI due to other strong performers in the Caribbean.
Among those were Josh Inglis and Cameron Green. Inglis (172 runs at 43.00/209.75 in the West Indies) is quickly emerging as one of the players to watch in T20 cricket, with his ability to access all areas of the ground. Green struck three fifties in the recent five-match series, finishing with the most runs (205) at an average of 68.33 and strike rate of 164.
Mitchell Owen was also a revelation in the middle order. Owen has previously dominated at the top of the order, most notably for the Hobart Hurricanes in the 2024/25 Big Bash League. However, he displayed some excellent hitting against both pace and spin in the West Indies series, finishing with 125 runs at an average of 41.66 and strike rate of 192.30.
So, this increases the pressure on Mitchell Marsh, with the onus on the captain to display the form he showed in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). The Aussies have a host of options for the top of the order, including Short, Inglis, Owen, and even Glenn Maxwell who had opportunities in the Caribbean.
How the bowling attack may shape up
On the bowling front, Ben Dwarshuis’ strong returns in the batting-friendly conditions of Jamaica and St Kitts may earn him a start in Darwin. Hazlewood may also get the nod alongside the impressive Nathan Ellis, whom fans believe should be an automatic pick in Australia’s T20 World Cup XI. Adam Zampa, who recently notched up 100 T20Is, should be the main spin option once again.
Australia vs South Africa 2025 series schedule
This T20I series serves as important preparation for the World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026. The first two matches will be played at Marrara Oval in Darwin, before the action moves to Cazalys Stadium in Cairns for the final T20I.
The two teams will also play three ODIs with that series to begin on August 19 in Cairns.
T20Is:
- August 10: First T20I, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7pm AEST
- August 12: Second T20I, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7pm AEST
- August 16: Third T20I, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 7pm AEST
ODIs:
- August 19: First ODI, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:30pm AEST
- August 22: Second ODI, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST
- August 24: Third ODI, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST
