Published on: Aug 18, 2025 2:52 pm IST | Updated on: Aug 18, 2025 2:52 pm IST
“Show off more.” That was the message from Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad to his team after Australia won the third and final T20I of the series in a last-over thriller at the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns. It’s time to hop from one World Cup preparation to another, and this time the two teams will kick off for the World Cup rich of history and relevance, i.e., the ODI World Cup slated to take place in 2027. It’s time for a 3-match ODI series set to kick off on the 19th of August at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 1st ODI, AUS vs SA, at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns.
It’s sad to see ODIs dying due to the money-making credentials of T20s, especially the franchise leagues. With almost every country now hosting its own standalone T20 franchise league and international calendars packed with T20s to steer player focus toward the format, the future of ODIs appears bleak and uncertain. That being said, Australia has always been a giant in ODIs, especially in the World Cups, but South Africa has had the mettle over them in the past 6-7 years or so. However, paying at home, Australia should fancy their chance of winning the first ODI at Cairns. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the AUS vs SA 1st ODI at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns.
SA: 44% win chance AUS: 56% win chance
South Africa's new number 3 has kicked off his ODI career on a brighter note. In just 2 innings so far, he has 233 runs to his name, with 150 being his top score. Expect Breetzke to be among runs in this series.
The Aussie left-hand opener will be crucial at the top. Head has scored 187 runs in his last 6 ODIs at an average of 37.4.
The Proteas skipper has been decent in recent ODIs. He has scored 271 runs in his last 7 ODI games at more than decent average of 45.17.
The Australian wicket-keeper batter will be batting at 5. He has been in decent nick of late, scoring 263 runs in his last 9 matches.
Check out our prediction for the AUS vs SA 1st ODI at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns.
Australia is heading into a transition phase in ODI cricket. With batting stalwart Steven Smith and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell stepping aside from the format to remain readily available for franchise T20 leagues around the world. With the void these two have left in the eleven, it’s time for the team management to fill their places in the eleven.
With no Steven Smith in the lineup now, Cameron Green is likely to bat at no. 3, a position he has been tried in the longest format of the game as well. Marnus Labuschagne will continue to bat at no 4, despite getting dropped from the longest format of the game, and it is still dicey for his spot in the upcoming Ashes Test series at home. We might see both the wicketkeepers, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, playing together, a blueprint they might look into for the future.
Australia, playing at home, is always an assertive unit and should back themselves against the Proteas, who have overpowered Australia in recent times in this format.
South Africa, despite featuring a new-looking batting lineup, gave a tough fight to the Aussies in the recently concluded T20I series. They took the series into the decider, where Glenn Maxwell held his nerve to finish off the game by chasing 10 in the penultimate over bowled by Lungi Ngidi to give the hosts honors in the T20I series by 2-1.
South Africa should quickly look to forget what happened in the T20Is and start afresh in the upcoming 3-match ODI series. The WTC-winning skipper, Temba Bavuma, is back at the helm and will be leading the side in this series. Apart from Bavuma, the likes of Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, and Matthew Breetzke are among the players who weren’t part of the T20I squad but will be joining the ODI setup to give a tough time to the Aussies at home.
Will Australia prevail at home, or will South Africa continue their merry ways in this format? We’ll find out soon once this pulsating ODI series commences on the 19th of August. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 110 AUS won: 51 SA won: 55 No Result: 1 Tied: 3 RECENT form AUSTRALIA: L W A NR L RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: L W A W L
Australia and South Africa have had a rich history in ODI cricket. Having collided 110 times in the format, South Africa has edged past with 55 wins, whereas the hosts, Australia, have won 51 times. Three matches ended as a tie, whereas one ended without a result. In recent times, South Africa has had the upper hand with three wins out of the last five, whereas Australia has won only once. South Africa’s three wins over Australia in their last five ODIs all came by margins exceeding 100 runs, highlighting their dominance in those encounters.
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, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett/Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Temba Bavuma (C), Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st ODI match between South Africa and Australia at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns:
Mitchell Marsh has won his last 20 tosses across formats and has opted to field first in every instance. Therefore, if he wins the toss, Australia is going to bowl. The same goes for the South African team, who have never played an ODI at this venue. Therefore, expect Temba Bavuma to bowl first as well to get an idea of how the wicket would play.
Where to Watch Today’s Match
The online live streaming of the 1st ODI 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 holds a slight edge heading into the 1st ODI, with home conditions and a deeper batting lineup working in their favor. However, South Africa’s recent dominance in head-to-head clashes adds intrigue. Expect a close contest, but Australia may just sneak through, given the home advantage. So, as per our prediction, the hosts, Australia, are expected to win the AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction 1st ODI match at the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns.