Published on: Aug 9, 2025 2:45 pm IST | Updated on: Aug 11, 2025 11:39 am IST
Two of the top cricketing giants are all set for a highly anticipated white ball series. The South Africans are on a tour of Australia for a three-match T20I and ODI series starting on the 10th of August at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. T20Is will be the first to take the center stage, followed by the ODIs from August 19. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 1st T20I, AUS vs SA, at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin.
Wounds are fresh for Australia from the heartbreaking loss to South Africa in the decorated final of the World Test Championship 2025 at Lord’s. South Africa, unlike their reputation, stepped up in an ICC knockout and dismantled the reigning champions. However, things will be starkly different in this T20I series. Australia is heading into this game on the back of a 5-0 whitewash over the West Indies, whereas South Africa lost their last T20I assignment, i.e., a tri-series in Zimbabwe with New Zealand and the hosts being the other two teams. South Africa reached the final but lost to the eventual champions, New Zealand. It was a second-string side of South Africa in Zimbabwe, but a loss is a loss. Therefore, Australia, playing at home, will be the favorite to win this contest. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the AUS vs SA 1st T20I at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.
SA: 38% win chance AUS: 62% win chance
The southpaw will be making his return to the T20 squad in this game. He will be opening the innings and can strike over 160 at the top to give the team a brisk start.
The Aussie wicket-keeper batter was among the runs in the T20I series in West Indies and played a match-winning knock in the second game. In the last 10 T20I matches, Inglis has 278 runs at a brisk strike-rate of 172.67.
The Proteas skipper will be batting at no 3 or 4 in this series. He is one of the most prolific run-getters for his side in the shortest format of the game and will look to anchor the innings in this game.
In Dewald Brevis, South Africa have seemingly found a middle-order batter who can increas pace at will and play spinners with extreme ease. He scored 133 runs in the recently concluded Tri-Nation Series in Zimbabwe at a towering strike-rate of 187.32.
Check out our prediction for the AUS vs SA 1st T20I at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
Australia is the team to watch out for in T20 cricket of late. The Australian team is blessed with some quality all-rounders bolstering their squad. We witnessed the strength of Australia’s explosive batting in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies. Their strength multiplies when they play at home, something all the other cricketing nations are wary of.
Led by Mitchell Marsh, the Australian squad named for this series looks even more intimidating with the return of senior pros like Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood. With South African team still experimenting with their batting unit, expect the ruthless Aussies to romp past the visitors easily in this T20I series to make their roadmap for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 even more intimidating. Let’s see if Australia stretches their recent terrific run in T20I cricket with a win in this game.
The Proteas are in the middle of a transition period, especially in T20 cricket. With the departure of Heinrich Klaasen from international cricket, there is a void to be filled, with Ryan Rickelton expected to cement his position in the T20I eleven. Besides Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, who is yet to retire from T20I cricket, last played an International T20 cricket game on June 29, 2024, against India, the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Another senior pro who is a surprise exclusion in this series is the left-hand middle-order batter David Miller. The 36-year-old hasn’t been at his best in recent times, and his exclusion is more of an axing. Nevertheless, South Africa is set to embark on a journey without some of their batting stalwarts, yet they still possess a squad capable of challenging Australia in their home conditions.
For South Africa, their bowling unit has to fire in pace-friendly conditions. Kagiso Rabada will be leading the pack of pacers comprising Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, and Corbin Bosch. If the pace attack steps up, South Africa could make it big not only in this match but also in the series. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 25 AUS won: 17 SA won: 8 No Result: 0 RECENT form AUSTRALIA: W W W W W RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: W L W L L
Australia and South Africa have had a storied rivalry, but in recent times it’s Australia who have completely dominated the Proteas. A total of 25 matches have been played between the two sides, wherein Australia has the upper hand with 17 wins and South Africa has managed 8. However, in recent times, Australia has dominated the 2024 T20 World Cup finalists with a scoreline of 5-0 in their last five meetings.
How will the two teams, i.e., Australia and South Africa, fare in the 1st ODI? Let’s take a look.
Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Ryan Rickelton (WK), Lhuan Dre-Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy/Nqabayomzi, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger/Kwena Maphaka.
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st T20I match between South Africa and Australia at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin:
Chasing has been a trend for a long time in T20 cricket, especially under lights. Australia’s dominance in West Indies came when they were chasing scores; therefore, it’s a no-brainer what Mitchell Marsh would opt for if he wins the toss. The same goes for Aiden Markram as well. Winning the toss and bowling should be the preferred choice of both skippers.
Where to Watch Today’s Match
The online live streaming of the 1st T20I match of the South Africa Tour of Australia will take place live on the JioHotstar App. TV viewers can watch this series live on Star Sports channels.
Australia enters this contest as the firm favorites. Playing in familiar conditions will help their cause, and their recent overall record and against the Proteas speaks volumes about their form. Therefore, it should be a no-brainer who is going to win this match (let alone the series). So, as per our prediction, the hosts, Australia, are expected to win the AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction 1st T20I match at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin.