Australia are set to kick off a three-match T20I series against South Africa on August 10 at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. This series serves as a crucial preparatory phase for both nations as they fine-tune their strategies for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

The host nation, Australia, enters the series on the back of a dominant performance, having recently completed a 5-0 whitewash against the West Indies. Their squad, led by Mitchell Marsh, will be significantly strengthened by the return of key players Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, bringing added depth and experience. However, they will be without the services of pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for this encounter.

Conversely, South Africa will be looking to bounce back after a setback in their recent T20I tri-series, where they lost the final to New Zealand, also involving Zimbabwe. The Proteas will be bolstered by the return of their charismatic captain, Aiden Markram and star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, both of whom are expected to make a substantial impact.

AUS vs SA: Head-to-Head record in T20Is

Matches played: 25 | Australia won: 16 | South Africa won: 08 | No results: 0

AUS vs SA, 1st T20I: Match Details

• Date and Time: August 10 – 2:45 pm is/ 9:15 am GMT/ 6:45 PM Local
• Venue: Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin

Marrara Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The Darwin pitch is expected to be a batter’s paradise, offering excellent bounce and a rapid outfield. With shorter boundaries, run-scoring could be prolific, leading teams to prefer chasing targets given the difficulty in containing runs on this ground.

AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction Picks

Wicketkeepers: Josh Inglis, Ryan Rickelton
Batters: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Aiden Makram, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis
All-rounders: Mitch Owen
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Kagiso Rabada

AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice Captain

Choice 1: Josh Inglis (c), Dewald Brevis (vc)
Choice 2: Travis Head (c).

Aus vs with Dream11 Prediction Backups

Glenn Maxwell, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Short, Lungi Ngidi

AUS vs SA Dream11 team for today’s match (August 10, 2:45 pm IST)

Squads

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Nagidi, Nqaba Peter, LHUAN-DRE PRETORIUS, Kagiso Rabada, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Ryan (wk), tristan stubbs, prenelan subrayen, rassie van der dussen