Australia is gearing up to host South Africa in the first T20I match of their upcoming white-ball series on Sunday. Following an impressive clean sweep over the West Indies, where the Australian men’s cricket team achieved a historic 8-0 victory, they enter this series with momentum. Under the captaincy of Mitchell Marsh, Australia completed a 3-0 win in the Test series and clinched the T20I series 5-0, showcasing standout performances from players like Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen, who made his debut.
Conversely, South Africa arrives at this series after a closely contested T20I tri-series final, where they suffered a narrow three-run defeat against New Zealand in Zimbabwe. Despite the disappointment, captain Rassie van der Dussen led a young team to the final, displaying their potential on the international stage.
Fans in the United States can catch the action live on Willow TV, which offers a streamlined viewing experience through Fubo, allowing access to real-time matches and on-demand highlights. The first T20I is set to take place at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, Australia, starting at 6:45 p.m. local time (ACST) on August 10, 2025. In Eastern Time, that translates to a 5:15 a.m. start.
For this matchup, Australia has reinforced its lineup with the return of top-order batsman Travis Head and the experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood, although regular captain Pat Cummins will not participate. Australia’s predicted XI includes notable players such as Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, and Nathan Ellis.
South Africa’s squad for this T20I series will see Aiden Markram return as captain after being rested during the tri-series. However, they will be without Marco Jansen, who is recovering from surgery, and David Miller, who is currently competing in ‘The Hundred’ in England. Nevertheless, the return of players like Ryan Rickelton and the pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada are expected to strengthen the team.
This series provides an exciting opportunity for both teams to test their skills and strategies in T20 cricket, promising thrilling matchups ahead. The first T20I and the subsequent games in the series will be key moments for both sides as they look to build confidence and form ahead of future competitions.