AUS vs SA 3rd T20I: Playing 11 & Match Preview

South Africa are set to face Australia in the 3rd and final T20I of the three-match series, on August 16 at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns. After having claimed 9 successive T20I wins and setting a new record, the Aussies were beaten in the 2nd T20I by SA. Dewald Brevis’ special 125*-run knock was the difference between the two teams in this contest. And now, the sides gear up for the series decider at a new venue in Cairns. The first two T20Is were played in Darwin.

What is the Context of the AUS vs SA match?

The 2nd T20I saw South Africa post a record 218/7 in 20 overs. This was their highest T20I score against Australia. It was Brevis, who shone with the 2nd-fastest hundred for SA in T20Is. He ended up smashing 125* runs from 56 balls, hitting 12 fours and 8 sixes. He struck at 223.21. Brevis and Tristan Stubbs added a century-plus stand for the 4th wicket.

In response, Australia were folded for 165 runs in 17.4 overs. Tim David scored a 2nd successive fifty, but his effort went in vain. For the Proteas, Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch took three-wicket hauls.

In terms of the H2H record, Australia and South Africa have met 27 times in T20I cricket. The Aussies have a definite edge with a win-loss record of 18-9. In 9 meetings between the sides in Australia, the hosts own a 6-3 advantage.

The 3rd T20I match will start at 2:45 pm IST on August 16 in Cairns.

Australia – Probable Playing XI

Travis Head: The star Aussie opener returned to the scheme of things with a paltry score of 2 from 7 balls in the opener. In the 2nd clash, he scored 5 runs.

Mitchell Marsh (c): Skipper Mitchell Marsh, who had a mediocre series with the bat versus West Indies, has faltered in both clashes versus SA, scoring 13 and 22.

Josh Inglis: After being kept on the bench for the 2nd T20I, Josh Inglis is expected to return for the 3rd match with Mitchell Owen being ruled out of the remainder of the white-ball series with concussion.

Cameron Green: After hitting a solid 35 from 13 balls in the 1st T20I versus SA, Cameron Green managed only nine runs from 7 balls in the 2nd T20I.

Tim David: After slamming a 52-ball 83 in a match-winning effort in the 1st clash, David scored 50 runs from 24 balls, striking over 200. He remains Australia’s trump card in the middle order.

Glenn Maxwell: Australia’s Maxwell had a poor first clash, scoring 1 run. In the 2nd encounter, he scored a 10-ball 16.

Alex Carey: The senior Aussie star was brought in for Inglis in the 2nd T20I and he responded with a score of 26 from 18 balls. He hit three fours.

Ben Dwarshuis: The pacer owns 18 wickets from 9 matches in T20Is and 216 overall in T20s. He picked 3 scalps in the 1st clash and did well in the 2nd (2/24).

Nathan Ellis: The pacer proved to be costly in his 4-over spell in the 1st clash. He gave away 44 runs. He was dropped for Sean Abbott, who was costly in the 2nd clash. Australia could bring back Ellis.

Josh Hazlewood: The 2025 IPL winner has bagged 71 T20I scalps and 162 overall in T20s. Hazlewood claimed 3 wickets in the 1st clash, but was woeful in the 2nd, posting 1/56 from 4 overs.

Adam Zampa: The right-arm spinner has 383 T20 wickets with 128 of them for the Aussies in T20Is. He will be a vital asset.

Player to watch out for (Tim David)

The star batter will be a threat for the Proteas as he is enjoying a fine run with the bat. 

Predicted South Africa Playing XI  

Ryan Rickelton: The southpaw showed his class with a solid 71 in the 1st clash. However, he managed a 10-ball; 14 in the 2nd encounter.  

Aiden Markram (c): The star cricketer and SA skipper scored 12 runs in the 1st clash, hitting three fours from six balls. In the 2nd match, he bagged a 13-ball 18. 

Lhuan-dre Pretorius: The promising 19-year-old scored 14 runs from 9 balls in the 1st T20I and failed again in the 2nd with a 10-ball 10.

Dewald Brevis: He took the game by a storm in the 2nd clash. Brevis is highly entertaining with a range of shots up his sleeve. After scoring a 6-ball 2 in the 1st clash, he silenced critics with a majestic hundred.

Tristan Stubbs: Stubbs marked his return for SA after the WTC final in the 1st clash. The promising player hit a vital 37 from 27 balls. He showed his prowess once again, hitting a 22-ball 31 in the 2nd clash.

Rassie van der Dussen: He wasn’t selected in the 1st T20I, but made a return in the 2nd. He managed a 3-ball 5. He will hope to make things count.

Corbin Bosch: He will have a key role for SA. The bowling all-rounder claimed a three-wicket haul in the 2nd T20I after conceding 44 runs from three overs in the 1st.

Senuran Muthusamy: The left-arm spinner is a clutch T20 all-rounder. He gave away only 24 runs in the 1st match from 4 overs and picked one wicket. After being left out for the 2nd clash, he is expected to return.

Kagiso Rabada A key figure in this side, Rabada did well both matches so far, picking 2/29 and 1/21. He is once again the leader SA want.

Lungi Ngidi: The right-arm pacer was part of the WTC final and then played the T20I tri-series. The multi-format bowler picked 1/34 from 3 overs in the 1st encounter and managed a solid 1/19 from 3.4 overs in the 2nd clash.

Kwena Maphaka: He was the star with the ball, taking 4 wickets in the 1st match. In the 2nd, he was a bit costly, but ended up picking three wickets.

Player to watch out for (Kwena Maphaka)

The speedster is a man on a mission with 7 wickets from the 1st two games of this series.

Pitch Report & Venue Conditions 

The Cazaly’s Stadium pitch usually offers early assistance for pacers, with swing and bounce. Pacers could make the most of these conditions in the powerplay. As the match wears on, the pitch tends to dry out and flatten, making stroke play easier for batters. Spinners are likely to have an impact in the middle overs.

Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?

The Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns, is set to host its first ever T20I match. So it’s hard to say which side will have an upper hand. Whoever wins the toss might field first to gain knowledge on the surface.

FAQs About AUS vs SA Playing 11

Who is not playing in the AUS vs SA clash?

Mitchell Owen is ruled out of the match and the upcoming ODI series for Australia with concussion symptoms. For SA, Senuran Muthusamy is expected to return for this match for Nqaba Peter.

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