Pat Cummins to miss first Australia v South Africa ODI at Kingsmead on September 24

Pat Cummins will not play the opening ODI between Australia and South Africa at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on September 24, the first match of the three-game series. The decision has been described as tactical and intended to allow Cummins to prepare for the forthcoming Test series against the Proteas.

Australia begin their tour of South Africa with a three-match ODI series followed by three Test matches, with the ODIs scheduled in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. Both sides arrive at the opening game having recorded 3-0 wins in their most recent bilateral ODI series: Australia swept Zimbabwe 3-0, while South Africa beat Namibia 3-0 without most of their top-flight players. Despite the clean sweep over Zimbabwe, Australia’s batting produced mixed returns. The three ODIs have been framed as part of Australia’s preparation ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Cummins and his pace-bowling colleague Mitchell Starc both missed Australia’s ODI tour of Zimbabwe as part of preparation for the upcoming Tests against South Africa, and Australia say they do not want to over-burden their frontline bowlers across all three matches. In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Marsh will continue to lead the Australian ODI side. The selectors have signalled a focus on balancing immediate ODI results with workload management ahead of the Test matches.

Nathan Ellis emerged as a prominent pace option during the recent limited-overs fixtures, and the original report states he has “emerged as the successor to the current world champions.” Cummins last featured in an ODI for Australia against Pakistan in November 2024 at Adelaide Oval. The management have left open the possibility that Cummins could appear in at least one of the three ODIs before the Test series begins.

Individual performances from the Zimbabwe series included Cooper Connolly as the only player in the Australian lineup to reach 150 runs. Nathan Ellis and Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans finished as the joint leading wicket-takers for that series with nine wickets each. Australia also recorded three centuries during the tour: Matt Renshaw, Travis Head and Josh Inglis all reached three figures.

The report also lists Sikandar Raza as the top run-scorer of a recent series with 183 runs, with Craig Ervine contributing 156 runs. South Africa’s 3-0 win over Namibia was noted to have come without most of their top-flight players available for that series.

The three ODIs in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom precede a three-match Test series between Australia and South Africa and form part of Australia’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup; Cummins remains a possible selection for at least one of the ODIs before the Tests commence.