Overview

• The second ODI is scheduled for Friday, August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, with first ball at 2:30 p.m. AEST (10:00 a.m. IST).
• The venue returns to men's international cricket more than three decades after its only previous fixture in 1992 was abandoned, with analysts expecting spinners to have influence on a fresh surface.
• South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 98-run win powered by Keshav Maharaj’s 5/33 and top-order half-centuries from Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke.
• Kagiso Rabada remains ruled out of the ODI series with an ankle issue, while Australia have added Matthew Kuhnemann, Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly to bolster options.
• Australia’s middle order is under scrutiny following a collapse in the opener despite Mitchell Marsh’s 88, heightening focus on roles for Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Cameron Green.