SA vs AUS, 1st ODI- Top Captain and Vice-captain Picks
Heinrich Klaasen will be a key player for South Africa in the ODI series against Australia (Source: Twitter)
After a whitewash in the T20I series South Africa will welcome Australia for a five match ODI series starting September 7 at 4:30 PM IST. The first two ODIs will be staged at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein while the third will take place at Potchefstroom, fourth in Centurion, and the fifth in Johannesburg.
Australian side will be led by Mitch Marsh who initiated his leadership career on a high. The likes of Steve Smith, Mitch Starc and Glenn Maxwell will still be nursing their injuries and get ready for the bigger picture in the next month. Even Pat Cummins who is suffering from a wrist injury and is not likely to participate in the first few games. On contrary, South Africa will see the addition of key players in the frame- Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Heinrich Klaasen, and Quinton de Kock.
With the 2023 World Cup in mind both teams will look to settle their combinations ahead in the upcoming 50-over contests. Let us have a quick look at the best captain and vice-captain options for the 1st ODI.
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SA vs AUS, 1st ODI: Venue Analysis
The conditions at Bloemfontein are suited for batting. The last few ODI matches here have seen overall runs come in excess of 600. From the bowling point of view, it is more suited to the pacers than the spinners. Team batting first has generally piled up more runs in the last few matches. The weather is set to be sunny and pleasant with no chances of precipitation and less humidity.
SA vs AUS, 1st ODI: Toss Factor
The toss will definitely play a crucial role in chosing the Captain and vice-captain for this match. It should be a batter's paradise going by history but generally more wickets are snapped in the second innings. So, it is better to chose to captain and vice-captain as top-order batters from the team batting side.
Scenario: SA wins the toss
If South Africa wins the toss, they might opt to bat first. If Quinton de Kock plays, he should be a good option for Captain or vice-captain. Also, someone like Aiden Markram serves good in this 1.5x or 2x role. However, with the form Mitch Marsh is in, he is anyday a terrific option for Captain or vice-captain irrespective of the toss.
Scenario: Australia wins the toss.
If Australia wins the toss, they're likely to bat first. In that case, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are one of the best options.
SA vs AUS, 1st ODI: Top Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
If SA Bats First
Quinton de Kock
The southpaw recently announced that he will retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup. The left-handed batter is an audacioous striker of the ball at the top of the order and announced himself on the bigger stage versus back-to-back centuries against India in 2013. Since then, he has been one of the potential threats to the pposition bowling. De Kock has a lot to prove before he bids adieu and therefore should go all guns blazing.
Heinrich Klaasen
The South African wicketkeeper-batter has been in breathtaking form in recent times. He smashed a century during IPL 2023 and MLC 2023. Klaasen is as good a player against spin as he is against pace and therefore one cannot omit him from the position of a captain or vice-captain.
If AUS Bats First
Mitchell Marsh
The captain led the team from the front in the T20I series earning himself the player of the series. He has been devastating against the South African bowlers and will look to continue with the good momentum. Also, one never knows if Marsh rolls his arm for a few overs with medium-pace, he may have a chance to gain wickets.
Travis Head
The swashbuckling batter has been a revelation in white and red ball cricket in the last couple of years. Head showcased glimpses of his ball-striking ability in the 3rd T20I with a score of 91 from 48 balls. He is a definite choice for captain or vice-captain if Australia gets to bat in the inital overs of the game.
SA vs AUS, 1st ODI: Big Risk, Big Return Choice
Temba Bavuma
The Proteas skipper has been impressive on a few outings in ODIs in the last few months. He has the classical strokes in his book and is more than a decent batter on hard times. But often we have seen him get dismissed in bizarre fashions and that is the risk he carries.
 "Arijit Kundu")
