Australia’s ODI changes explained: Cummins returns, Marsh stays captain
Injuries and another failed run chase shaped Australia’s series finale against South Africa. Cummins and Starc returned, while Ollie Peake was recalled at number four.
Australia recalled Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Ollie Peake for the third ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom on September 30, after injuries depleted their squad and two failed chases cost them the series. Mitch Marsh remained captain as Australia addressed problems with both player availability and their batting.
Cummins returned for his first ODI in almost two years, but Marsh continued to lead the side. Peake was listed at number four, while Starc returned with Josh Hazlewood being managed and Nathan Ellis sidelined by a side strain, according to Cricket Australia’s report from the ground.
Which Australia players were injured?
The ICC’s September 29 injury update ruled Ellis and Joel Davies out of the finale. Ellis had bowled only four overs in the second ODI in Johannesburg before leaving the field with a side strain. Davies injured his right hamstring while fielding as a substitute in the same match.
Those injuries followed two earlier departures. Billy Stanlake had already flown home after suffering a side strain in Zimbabwe, and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis had returned home with a broken finger. Australia therefore reached the last ODI without several members of their touring squad.
Jack Edwards was a separate case in the September 29 bulletin: he was being monitored for a hamstring concern and travelled with the squad to Potchefstroom. That report did not rule him out. He had just taken five for 67 in Johannesburg, his first five-wicket haul in both ODIs and List A cricket.
What changed for Cummins and Marsh?
Cricket Australia’s September 30 selection report confirmed Cummins’ return and Marsh’s continued captaincy. It also confirmed Peake’s recall to the batting order. These were announced selections, following the previous day’s ICC report that Australia might turn to Cummins and Starc because of their depleted personnel.
South Africa also had a different captain for the finale. Aiden Markram stood in for the rested Temba Bavuma and chose to bowl after a wet outfield delayed the toss by 30 minutes. Overnight thunderstorms had drenched JB Marks Oval.
Why Australia’s middle order was under pressure
The selection changes followed a 32-run defeat in Johannesburg on September 27 that gave South Africa an unassailable 2–0 lead. Australia had also lost the Durban opener by 67 runs. In both matches, Marsh and Travis Head gave the chase a strong start before the innings faltered.
In Johannesburg, South Africa made 365 for nine. Marsh and Head responded with an opening stand of 130 in 17 overs, and both finished with 84. Australia were eventually dismissed for 333 with one ball remaining, according to AAP Sport’s report published by ABC.
Cooper Connolly made 10, Cameron Green 17 and Matthew Renshaw 32. Xavier Bartlett struck five sixes in a late 50 from 28 balls, but his innings could not recover the chase. The strong opening partnership had again failed to produce a winning total.
“In both games, the way we’ve set up the innings has been really good but we just haven’t been able to execute in those middle phases,” Marsh said after the defeat. “We’ve got to keep improving, we don’t want to be whitewashed.”
How South Africa’s spin exposed the problem
Bavuma used 30 overs of finger spin in Johannesburg. Keshav Maharaj took two for 54, Bjorn Fortuin two for 70 and Markram one for 55. Cricket Australia’s Louis Cameron reported that Australia needed about seven and a half runs per over with 20 overs left, then managed only 38 runs for two wickets across the next 11 overs.
That difficulty had a longer history. In analysis published on September 26, Cricket Australia put Australia’s ODI batting average against orthodox spin since the 2023 World Cup at 21.73, the lowest among teams in its comparison. That figure predates the final two matches of this series.
“Maharaj in particular can get the best out of the wickets with his skill set. He was tough to face,” Adam Zampa told Cricket Australia. He described an inexperienced middle order trying to replace Steve Smith’s anchoring role and the late-innings power previously supplied by Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.
Smith, Maxwell and Stoinis had retired from ODIs, Marnus Labuschagne had been dropped, and Marsh had moved to opening after David Warner’s retirement. Inglis’ injury removed another established batter as Australia worked through those changes.
What was confirmed about the third ODI?
At the September 30 check at 19:11 UTC, Cricbuzz showed Australia had made 322 for nine and South Africa were 145 for four after 28 overs, with rain stopping play. Its interruption update was timestamped 18:31 GMT. No final result was displayed at that check.
Beyond the ODI series, the published tour schedule listed a Potchefstroom warm-up on October 3–4 and three Tests beginning on October 9 in Durban, October 18 in Gqeberha and October 27 in Cape Town. Australia’s injury problems came with that longer programme still ahead.
Sources and context
- Injuries deplete Australia further in South AfricaInternational Cricket Council
- Australian middle order collapses again as South Africa claims ODI victoryABC News / AAP Sport
- Ellis goes down as Aussies fall under another spin spellCricket Australia — Louis Cameron, at Wanderers Stadium
- Cummins edges towards ODI comeback, middle-order in focusCricket Australia — Louis Cameron, in Johannesburg
- Cummins makes his ODI return – but not as captainCricket Australia — Louis Cameron, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
- South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Australia tour of South Africa, 2026 — CommentaryCricbuzz
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