AUS vs SA 2025: Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI Match Preview

Australia will look to salvage pride when they meet South Africa in the third and final ODI at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Sunday, August 24. The hosts trail 2-0 in the series after heavy defeats in Cairns and are desperate to avoid a clean sweep.

The series has highlighted the impact of resting senior quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, with Australia’s bowling looking light in both matches. They went down by 98 runs in the opener and by 84 runs in the second ODI, leaving skipper Mitchell Marsh searching for answers ahead of the finale.

South Africa, led by the returning Temba Bavuma, have dominated with both bat and ball. Bavuma struck a vital half-century in the first match, while the Proteas’ attack, spearheaded by Keshav Maharaj, has dismantled Australia’s batting in both games.

A 3-0 clean sweep would mark a perfect finish for the tourists before they head home, while Australia will hope to close the series on a high and prevent further questions over their depth without senior stars.

Pitch Report for 3rd ODI

The Great Barrier Reef Arena returns to men’s cricket for the first time since the 1992 World Cup, leaving little data to judge how the surface might play. With only a handful of domestic and women’s internationals held here, conditions remain uncertain. After Marsh’s misread in Cairns, where spin proved more influential than expected, he is unlikely to risk fielding first again if he wins the toss.

Probable Playing XI for 3rd ODI

Australia

Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (Wicket-keeper), Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (Wicket-keeper), Matthew Breetzke, Temba Bavuma (Captain), Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger