Big picture: Pretty in pink for which team?
This March marks two decades since that memorable ODI at the Wanderers, when Jacques Kallis famously remarked Australia were “15 short” after scoring 434, only for South Africa to successfully chase the target. That match in 2006 proved decisive for the series. Now, in 2026, the teams return to Johannesburg following South Africa’s 1-0 lead, secured through an impressive display in Durban where their spinners dismantled a formidable Australian powerplay assault.
Spin may not be quite a factor in this match, but Australia’s record against left-arm spin is a major cause for concern – no team has fared worse against left-arm spin since the last ODI World Cup.
At Kingsmead, they could barely have wished for a better platform in the chase with Mitchell Marsh slamming 60 off 36 balls before popping Keshav Maharaj to cover. The other Australia batters decided to try and hit their way to the target rather than milk the spin even with the required run-rate under a-run-a-ball. It was an encouraging start to South Africa’s home season, especially considering how their pace resources are being stretched by injury. With the bat, Matthew Breetzke continued the remarkable start to his ODI career while Marco Jansen provided the late-order acceleration when the innings had been in the balance. And his catch to send back Matt Renshaw was one of the greatest you will see.
There was a reminder, too, that edginess is never too far away when these two sides play. Australia were far from impressed when Breetzke took a single after a throw from Josh Inglis hit him in the back and ricocheted away. Early in the chase, Marsh could be heard yelling “no run” when a throw from the infield struck him in similar fashion.
This match is also the annual Pink Day ODI to raise money for cancer research and treatment. Like The Pink Test at the SCG, it has been a focal point of the South African season.
South Africa WWWWL(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia LWWWW
In the spotlight: David Miller and Cameron Green
David Miller had an unusually quiet start in the first ODI, scoring a sluggish 9 off 25 balls before falling to a brilliant return catch by Nathan Ellis. He had earlier been a touch fortunate not to become Jack Edwards’ first ODI wicket when he survived an umpire’s call lbw with the ball trimming the bails. However, Australia will need no reminding of how dangerous Miller can be: he averages 54.84 in ODIs against them, including three centuries, with a strike rate of 102.76.
Cameron Green returned to the side in the opening match having missed the Zimbabwe series with a shoulder niggle. However, he wasn’t back at the bowling crease and a cautious approach could continue to be taken ahead of the Tests. With the bat, he came in during the early stages of Australia’s collapse and picked out long-on when he tried to pull Maharaj into the stands. However, overall since the last World Cup, where he had a bit-part role, Green’s ODI record is excellent with an average of 46.27 from 14 innings.
Team news: Markram could return; eye on Cummins
Aiden Markram was named in the original squad for the second and third matches of the series. If he’s available, he would either slot back into the middle or be an option to open. His offspin would also provide an important sixth option and potentially allow the home side to field another specialist quick in place of Bjorn Fortuin, although he bowled well in Durban.
South Africa (probable) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Temba Bavuma (capt), 4 Matthew Breetzke, 5 Aiden Markram, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Gerald Coetzee, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Lizaad Williams
Josh Inglis has been ruled out of the series with a finger injury, which means Alex Carey will return to take the gloves. The other big interest for Australia is whether Pat Cummins, who remains the official ODI captain, will come into the side for an outing prior to the Test series and how Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are managed with another game on Wednesday. If Cummins does play it would be just his third ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, and there is no certainty he would lead the side in this instance.
Australia (probable) 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Matt Renshaw, 5 Alex Carey (wk), 6 Cameron Green, 7 Jack Edwards, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Xavier Bartlett, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Adam Zampa
Pitch and conditions: Expect a decent surface
There is normally a true surface with good pace and carry at the Wanderers. The previous ODI at the venue was in November 2024 when Pakistan defended 308. Overall, though, since 2020, the ground has the third-lowest batting average for ODIs in South African venues. The forecast is for a dry, sunny and warm day.
