Star GT pacer ruled out of AUS vs SA ODI series

South Africa suffered a serious setback on the eve of their three-match one-day international (ODI) series against Australia as pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the rubber due to inflammation of his right ankle.

The 30-year-old underwent a scan on Monday (August 18), which confirmed the seriousness of the injury. Cricket South Africa announced that Rabada would stay in Australia to start rehabilitation with the team's medical team. "Proteas Men's fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia due to inflammation of his right ankle," CSA said in a statement.

Kwena Maphaka Called Up

In light of Rabada's absence, left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, 19, has been called up into the squad. The young bowler was the standout bowler for South Africa in a T20I series they recently played, and finished the series as the leading wicket-taker, while now he's getting his opportunity in the 50-over format. 

Already missing Marco Jansen, who is recovering from surgery on his left thumb, the South African pace unit will be led by Lungi Ngidi, backed up by Nandre Burger and Maphaka, along with all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch for additional seam options, with a spin unit inclusive of Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, and Prenelan Subrayen offering plenty of variety.

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First ODI in Cairns

The series is being played at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns, and South Africa have Ngidi, Burger, and Mulder as their seam brigade, along with Subrayen, who made his ODI debut, with Maharaj leading the spin attack.

Australia is led by Mitchell Marsh, standing in as captain, who won the toss and bowled first, saying that the surface looked dry. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said he would have done the same if he had won the toss.

Series Outlook

Australia comes into the ODI leg with confidence after winning the T20I series 2-1. South Africa, however, missing Rabada and Jansen puts extra pressure on the younger bowlers, but at least the second and third ODIs will both be played in Mackay at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, on 22 and 24 August.

There is a World Cup coming, and both teams can use the series as an opportunity to look at depth and combinations, though for the Proteas, it will depend on how well their emerging attack performs without their senior quicks.