Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

SA vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | SA vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Durban Pitch Report

After nearly five months, South Africa are finally back playing international cricket. The three-match T20I series against Australia serves as an opportunity for both nations to test their bench strength with the 2024 T20 World Cup just nine months away.

While both teams are missing frontline players, it promises to be a riveting series. Each side is blessed with talent right down the lineup, with plenty of excitement around the debutants including Spencer Johnson and Dewald Brevis.

The last time Australia toured South Africa was in 2020. They won the T20I series 2-1, led by some excellent bowling to dismantle the Proteas’ lineup. Spin played an important role then, so it will be interesting to see if similar applies in Durban.

SA vs AUS 1st T20 Possible Playing XI

Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje are unavailable for the Proteas. Dewald Brevis could make his debut as an opener.

South Africa: 1. Dewald Brevis, 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Matthew Breetzke/Donovan Ferreira (wk), 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. Aiden Markram (c), 6. Tristan Stubbs, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Keshav Maharaj, 9. Lungi Ngidi, 10. Tabraiz Shamsi, 11. Sisanda Magala/Gerald Coetzee

Australia have confirmed their XI. Matt Short, Aaron Hardie and Spencer Johnson will debut. Here are details on the unavailable players for Australia, including Glenn Maxwell.

Australia: 1. Matt Short, 2. Travis Head, 3. Mitch Marsh (c), 4. Josh Inglis (wk), 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Tim David, 7. Aaron Hardie, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Spencer Johnson

SA vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction – Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

South Africa:

• Dewald Brevis has made a name for himself at U19 level and T20 leagues all around the world. His strike rate is well down this year (117.50) compared to 167.57 in 2021 and 149.51 in 2022.
• When opening in T20s, Brevis has scored 544 runs at an average of 32.00 and strike rate of 145.84.
• Reeza Hendricks has been excellent in T20Is since the start of 2022. In this period, Hendricks has scored 379 runs at an average of 47.4 and strike rate of 170.7.
• Aiden Markram can turn the game in his team’s favour. The Proteas captain has scored 701 T20 runs at an average of 30.48 and strike rate of 132.02.
• Markram has struggled in T20s at Durban: 7 inns, 92 runs, avg. 13.14, SR 102.22.
• Lungi Ngidi is a genuine wicket-taker in this format. The pacer has picked up 15 wickets in eight matches on this ground at an average of 14.00 and strike rate of 11.60.
• Marco Jansen has taken just four wickets in seven T20s at Durban. But, the tall seamer can be key in the powerplay.

Australia:

• Matt Short is one of the BBL’s top performers. Last season, he scored the most runs (458) at an average of 35.2 and strike rate of 144.5. He could enjoy Durban conditions.
• Mitch Marsh can blow the game open for Australia. The new skipper will pounce on anything short. Against South Africa, Marsh has scored 132 runs at an average of 22.00 and strike rate of 128.15.
• Marcus Stoinis and Tim David can be dynamite at the death. Since the start of 2022, Stoinis has scored 502 runs at a strike rate of 190.15 between overs 16-20. David is striking at 197.92.
• Nathan Ellis has taken 15 wickets in five T20Is, striking every eight deliveries.
• Spencer Johnson is one to watch. The tall fast bowler impressed all with his performances in The Hundred, soon after making a big impact in the 2022/23 Big Bash League.
• Johnson has been excellent between overs 16 and 20 in T20s this year: 16.2 overs, seven wickets, econ. 7.59.
• Adam Zampa in T20s this year: 26 inns, 41 wickets, avg. 17.4, SR 14.5.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, South Africa 8, Australia 14, N/R 1.
• Since the start of 2022, Lungi Ngidi has taken 22 wickets in 12 T20Is. He strikes every 10.1 deliveries.
• Keshav Maharaj is the second-highest wicket-taker in T20s at Durban: 40 inns, 45 wickets, avg. 17.93, SR 15.04.
• Aiden Markram has scored 24 runs off 11 balls without dismissal against Nathan Ellis in T20s.
• Travis Head could bat at three. He has 1,364 T20 runs in this position at an average of 32.48 and strike rate of 131.66.
• Tabraiz Shamsi vs Australia: 5 inns, 5 wickets, avg. 21.40, econ. 5.94.

Kingsmead Durban Pitch Report and Weather

A clear evening is forecast in Durban after a top of 26 degrees during the day. In the SA20 earlier this year, the average first innings score was 162.75, with teams batting first and second winning two games each.

Expect an easy-paced surface, which is usually the case in Durban. With the potential for dew in August, the captain who wins the toss may choose to chase.

SA vs AUS 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Match 30 August 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

SA vs AUS 1st T20 Match Prediction – Who will win?

A tough pick. Australia with their bowling options can prevail in a close one.