Proteas will fancy having a crack at Australian bowlers

A triple helping of South Africa versus Australia sporting contests this weekend with the respective home teams both in a rebuilding phase, missing key players, but desperate to build confidence for the months ahead.

The Proteas and their cricketing counterparts from Down Under will see a lot of each other in the coming weeks. There’s the five-match one-day series starting in Centurion this afternoon (1.30pm) and then three Tests in Australia in November.

Steve Smith and Faf du Plessis have not shied away from the fact that this ODI series could have an impact on what takes places in the Test matches.

Australia has left a couple of key components of their Test team back home to rest up ahead of the series Down Under, and South Africa – in particular the batsmen – need to make an impression in this series and those likely to be in the Test squad need to build some self-belief ahead of the trip to Australia.

The Australian bowlers weren’t firing on all cylinders in the one-off match against Ireland in Benoni earlier this week, and certainly a South African batting line-up, even one missing AB de Villiers will fancy a crack at a seam attack which lacks express pace.

Hashim Amla has been restored to his position at the top of the order, and regardless of whether De Villiers was present or not, his performances along with Quinton de Kock’s are crucial for setting a rhythm for the South Africans. Du Plessis,

said yesterday, that the middle-order – now firmly under the microscope with De Villiers absent – wanted to show greater intent in the middle overs after failing to do so against Ireland.

“We want to be a bit more positive,” remarked Du Plessis. “In the last few years because of the balance of the team … (batsmen) were a bit hesitant. Your tail starts at 7 or 8...so you have to ‘‘sit in’ in those periods.

“But with a longer batting line-up now, it allows us to push a little harder in that period and put some pressure on the opposition. Against Ireland it was a case of guys wanting time in the middle and making good use of that game ahead of this series.”

There is indeed greater depth and variety in the South African squad for this series, with Du Plessis hopeful that between Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius, two will emerge as long-term options for the one-day side.

Australia may be without Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, but their one-day record since the World Cup indicates that despite making numerous changes - as part of a workload management programme they’ve remained consistent, winning 65% of their ODIs in the last 18 months.

In Smith, Dave Warner, Aaron Finch, George Bailey and Mitchell Marsh they have some outstanding match-winners. Their bowling does appear to lack zip, but with little known about Chris Tremain, Daniel Worrall and Joe Mennie, South Africa, initially at least will need to be cautious.

Ultimately though, Du Plessis and Co. need to make a statement in this series.