Australia ODI captain Pat Cummins has a chance to be rested after arriving later than fellow quick Mitchell Starc in South Africa, with the visitors aiming to conserve their frontline pace attack ahead of the high-profile Test series against the home team. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday, Cummins is expected to manage his workload with Starc and Josh Hazlewood during the three-match ODI series in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.
Cummins and Starc had also been rested from Australia's recent ODI tour of Zimbabwe, a 3-0 victory series, as they continue to prepare for the Test series against South Africa. The five-Test series holds great significance in the race for a place in the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Australia set to rotate frontline pace attack, with replacement of Pat Cummins
With three ODIs to cover in a span of seven days, and huge distances between games, Australia are unlikely to turn to their three Test quicks for every match. Cummins had suggested last month he could play as few as one ODI before the Tests begin.
Hazlewood, who figured in just a single match as part of his workload management plan during the Zimbabwe series, could partner Starc in the first and third ODIs, while Cummins could be restricted to a solitary appearance in the second match as his sole contribution.
Starc has also endorsed the notion that Nathan Ellis can play a big role for Australia in their ODI plans after the fast bowler impressed in the Zimbabwe series. Ellis was Australia's breakout bowler on that tour, in the absence of Cummins and Starc, while Hazlewood figured in just a single match.
“I think he's grown into himself as a confident ODI bowler over the last few years, and it's great to see him get that reward in the series. He probably led the attack in the absence of Josh playing one game, Pat and I not over there, so really pushing his case as a lock as a pick in the one-day team, and no doubt he'll look to perform in these three as well,” Starc was quoted as saying after a training session.
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Ellis' emergence is likely to create a selection conundrum for Australia if all their frontline fast bowlers are available, as he can perform in the middle and death overs, which overlaps with some of Cummins' ODI duties, while Starc and Hazlewood remain Australia's established new-ball options.
Mitchell Marsh, who became Australia's ODI vice-captain after Steven Smith's retirement in 2025, is expected to step in as captain whenever Cummins is rested, including Thursday's series opener.
Cummins is also expected to be managed during Australia's upcoming ODI assignments against England in November and New Zealand next August, with Australia's Test commitments continuing to be the priority.
Australia's ODI squad has been further disrupted due to injuries. Fast bowler Billy Stanlake has been ruled out of the South Africa tour due to a side strain, while Spencer Johnson has returned home to rest ahead of Australia A's 50-over matches in Puducherry in October.
All-rounder Jack Edwards has been added to the squad as a replacement, particularly with Cameron Green suffering from a shoulder issue that kept him out of the Zimbabwe series.
If Green is cleared to play in Durban, Australia could be forced into a middle-order reshuffle, with wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey facing competition to retain his place in the playing XI.