Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Mitch Marsh Retains Australia Captaincy for South Africa ODI Opener
Mitch Marsh will lead Australia in the first cricket match against South Africa.
The match is a one-day international, or ODI.
Australia’s regular captain, Pat Cummins, is on the tour but is focusing on Test cricket.
A three-Test series against South Africa begins next month.
Marsh recently led Australia to a series win in Zimbabwe.
Cummins may play in one or both of the next two ODIs.
The matches help Australia become familiar with conditions in southern Africa.
This preparation is important because next year’s World Cup will be held in the region.
Mitch Marsh will captain Australia in the opening ODI against South Africa at Kingsmead on Thursday.
Pat Cummins is prioritising preparation for next month’s three-Test series after arriving on tour.
Marsh led Australia to a series win over Zimbabwe, including two runaway victories and a close final match.
Cummins has played only two of Australia’s possible 31 ODIs since leading the team to the 2023 World Cup title.
The ODI series in South Africa is intended to help Australia prepare for next year’s World Cup.
- Who
- Mitch Marsh will captain Australia, while Pat Cummins remains the official captain and is focusing on Test preparations.
- What
- Australia will play the opening ODI of its series against South Africa with Marsh as captain.
- When
- The first ODI is on Thursday; the Test series begins next month, and the remaining ODIs are scheduled for Sunday and the following week.
- Where
- The opener will be played at Kingsmead in Durban, South Africa; later matches are in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.
- Why
- Cummins is preparing for the upcoming Test series, while the ODI matches provide preparation for next year’s World Cup.
- Opening match
- Australia vs South Africa, first ODI
- Captain
- Mitch Marsh
- Official captain
- Pat Cummins
- Venue
- Kingsmead, Durban
- Recent result
- Australia won its three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe
- Test schedule
- A three-Test series against South Africa starts next month
- World Cup preparation
- The ODI series offers experience of conditions in southern Africa