South Africa return against rebuilding Australia
ESPNcricinfo previews the first Twenty20 between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town
Match Facts
October 13, Cape TownStart time 1800 (1600 GMT)
Big Picture
Australia's month-long tour of South Africa begins with a Twenty20 in Cape Town, a match that will be South Africa's first international in any format since March 25. During that same period, Australia have been to Bangladesh for a one-day series and Sri Lanka for Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s. They haven't been overworked, though, and by comparison South Africa will have to shed their rust as quickly as possible. They have a new captain, Hashim Amla, standing in for the injured AB de Villiers, while star players Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn are being rested. Still, Twenty20 is a format that South Africa have mastered considerably better than their opponents in recent years.Form guide
South Africa LWWWWAustralia LLWLL
In the spotlight
Hashim Amla is one of the world's finest batsmen, but he is yet to show his best against Australia. Across all formats, he averages 39.05 against Australia, compared to an overall mark of 49.70. He also has the burden of captaining his country for the first time in his career. Graeme Smith is on hand to provide advice but the best way for Amla to lead is from the front - with big runs at the top of the order.Team news
The injury to AB de Villiers means Heino Kuhn will take the gloves, while Albie Morkel is also missing from the original squad due to injury. Wayne Parnell will struggle to make the final XI, while Ryan McLaren and Richard Levi are also in danger of missing out.Pitch and conditions
An early-season pitch at Newlands should be a touch on the slow side, so the spinners are likely to play an important role. The weather is expected to be fine and warm.Stats and trivia
- Australia have won only one of their previous eight Twenty20 internationals, while South Africa have won six of their previous seven
- Australia's leading Twenty20 international wicket-taker is Mitchell Johnson, who was not considered good enough to be part of this squad
- Only three players from each side were part of the last Twenty20 between the two teams: Johan Botha, Robin Peterson and JP Duminy, along with David Warner, Cameron White and David Hussey
Quotes
"Everybody's been given their room and space to have a lot of freedom when they play, and also to express themselves within the team environment. It's been a really nice few days for the guys to connect with each other."Stand-in captain Hashim Amla is pleased with South Africa's preparation ahead of the Twenty20s
Australia captain Cameron White on his team's progress
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo