Overview
- Australia won the toss and elected to bowl at Kingsmead on Thursday, with Mitchell Marsh captaining while Pat Cummins is being rested for workload management.
- Australia handed Jack Edwards an ODI debut in the opener as selectors use the series to trial combinations ahead of the World Cup.
- South Africa named two frontline spinners for the Durban game and recalled veteran David Miller as four key pacemen were ruled out by hamstring injuries.
- Mitchell Starc warned that wet, muggy early-season conditions could alter pitch behaviour and favour different bowling plans than usual in South Africa.
- The three ODIs (Sept. 24–30) lead into a three-Test series starting Oct. 9, with both boards treating the white-ball matches as preparation while protecting Test resources.