South Africa look to secure the early honours over Australia

South Africa will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the ODI series when they face Australia in the second match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The hosts produced an impressive performance in Durban to win the opening ODI, recovering from Australia's explosive start in the chase through disciplined spin bowling. Australia, meanwhile, will be looking for a response after their batting line-up struggled to adapt once the required rate dropped below a run a ball. The match also comes with added interest over the possible returns of Aiden Markram for South Africa and Pat Cummins for Australia. South Africa Carry Momentum From Durban South Africa made an encouraging start to their home season in Durban, particularly given the injury pressure on their pace-bowling resources. Matthew Breetzke continued his impressive beginning to international cricket, while Marco Jansen provided important acceleration late in the innings. Jansen also produced a spectacular catch to dismiss Matt Renshaw during Australia's chase. South Africa's spinners then changed the match. Australia's aggressive approach against the spin ultimately worked against them, with the visitors repeatedly attempting big shots rather than rotating the strike. Australia's struggles against left-arm spin remain a concern. Since the last ODI World Cup, no team has had a lower batting performance against left-arm spin than Australia. Wanderers Offers Different Challenge The conditions in Johannesburg could provide a different test. The Wanderers traditionally offers good pace and carry, giving batters an opportunity to play their shots. The previous ODI at the venue, in November 2024, saw Pakistan successfully defend 308 against South Africa. However, the ground has recorded one of the lower batting averages among South African ODI venues since 2020, suggesting that the surface may still offer opportunities to the bowlers. The forecast is for a dry, sunny and warm day, which should provide favorable conditions for a full contest. Markram Could Return for South Africa Aiden Markram was included in South Africa's original squad for the final two matches of the series and could return in Johannesburg. His inclusion would give South Africa another option in the middle order, while his offspin could provide an additional bowling choice. That could allow the hosts to select another specialist fast bowler instead of Bjorn Fortuin, although Fortuin played an important role in Durban. South Africa's probable XI includes Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, captain Temba Bavuma, Breetzke, Markram, David Miller, Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj and Lizaad Williams. Carey Returns as Inglis Misses Out Australia will make at least one change after Josh Inglis was ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series with a finger injury. Alex Carey is expected to return behind the stumps, while attention will also be on Pat Cummins. Cummins remains Australia's official ODI captain and could return to the team for a match before the Test series. If selected, it would be only his third ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup final. There is also uncertainty over whether Cummins would captain the side if he plays, while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood could be managed carefully with another ODI scheduled soon. Australia's probable XI includes Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Carey, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa. Miller and Green in the Spotlight David Miller will be looking to make a bigger impact after a quiet opening match. He scored only 9 from 25 balls in Durban before Nathan Ellis took an excellent return catch. Miller's record against Australia suggests he remains a major threat. He averages 54.84 against them in ODIs, including three centuries, while striking at 102.76. Cameron Green also has an important role to play for Australia. Returning after missing the Zimbabwe series because of a shoulder issue, Green did not bowl in the opening ODI as Australia continued to manage his workload. He was dismissed for a low score while attempting to attack Maharaj, but his overall ODI record since the 2023 World Cup remains strong, with an average of 46.27 from 14 innings. Jansen and Breetzke Continue Strong Records Marco Jansen has enjoyed facing Australia in ODI cricket. He has failed to reach 23 only once in seven ODI innings against them and has a strike rate of 124.33. He was also named Player of the Match when the teams last met in Johannesburg. Breetzke is another player enjoying an excellent run against Australia. His three ODI innings against them have produced scores of 57, 88 and 112, underlining his impressive start to his international career. For Australia, Nathan Ellis has also been among the leading pace bowlers in ODI cricket this year. His 22 wickets are the second-most by a fast bowler in the format during 2026. Pink Day Adds Significance The Johannesburg ODI will also be South Africa's annual Pink Day match, an initiative focused on raising money and awareness for cancer research and treatment. The occasion has become an important part of South Africa's home cricket season, much like the Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With South Africa already leading the series 1-0, the hosts will aim to build on their Durban performance and secure the early series honours. Australia, meanwhile, will need a much-improved batting display if they are to level the contest at the Wanderers.