Bavuma to captain South Africa ODI squad against Australia

Temba Bavuma will captain South Africa in its one-day international series against Australia, which begins on Sept. 24 and runs through Sept. 30.

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee returns to the 50-over squad, while Kagiso Rabada will miss the series because of injury. Rabada hopes to be fit for the test matches that follow.

Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen make up the rest of the fast-bowling group. Dewald Brevis was not selected, with Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs preferred as middle-order options. Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the specialist spinners.

Coach Shukri Conrad said the series would help shape the squad with the World Cup just over a year away. He added that it would give players in contention further opportunities when South Africa faces Bangladesh and England later in the season.

The first match will take place in Durban on Sept. 24, followed by Johannesburg on Sept. 27 and Potchefstroom on Sept. 30.

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With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping the squad as we build towards the tournament, while also giving those players who are in the frame opportunities when we face Bangladesh and England later in the season.