Cricket 2026: Australia vs South Africa Check sequence, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis in No.3 mix, Kagiso Rabada harm update, South Africa cricket harm updates, news
Zimbabwe v Australia third ODI Highlights | 15:37
Josh Higgins from Fox SportsSeptember twenty second, 2026 3:16 pm
Andrew McDonald has revealed two in-form ODI batters are in the mix to bat at No.3 for Australia during its first Check tour of South Africa since Sandpapergate.
Meanwhile, the Proteas have received a promising update on star fast Kagiso Rabada as injuries check their tempo stocks and a new bowling leader prepares to step up.
All of this and extra in the latest version of Cricket Day by day.
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IN-FORM ODI BATTERS IN THE MIX FOR AUSTRALIA
Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis have drawn attention following their spectacular ODI sequence in opposition to Zimbabwe.
Connolly was named player of the sequence, while Inglis finished off the sequence with a 103-run knock in the third and last sport.
It comes as Australian coach Andrew McDonald opened up on the upcoming Check sequence in opposition to South Africa, with Connolly and Inglis each in the mix at No.3, a place held by Marnus Labuschagne for the majority of his Check profession.
“We’re open minded to that, undoubtedly. A few of our greatest openers have gone from 5 to opening,” McDonald mentioned.
“Travis went from 5 to opening, and ‘Uzzie’ went from 5 to opening. I think it’s all about timing and how prepared they are for that.
“‘Coop’ hasn’t played a variety of first-class cricket, so his experiences are fairly slender.
“He’s played a variety of white-ball cricket in current times. Can that translate into being a high order option? Or is he better suited by way of the center?”
For Inglis, the belief can also be there from McDonald, with the ODI keeper around the mark lately.
“Josh Inglis has been the reserve batter for a long period of time, and people have debated whether he may have opened (when a vacancy arose in 2024-25). We expect he’s acquired the skillset to potentially bat wherever in that order.
“So, we really feel as though we’ve acquired two good choices… (and) if something have been to maneuver, we’ve acquired players which can be up and working in the Australia A squad in India.”
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With Australia’s batting order struggling for consistency recently, a lot has been made of attainable changes ahead of the South Africa sequence.
For McDonald, those conversations are nothing new.
“It’s not a checkpoint where you go, ‘Oh, all of a sudden we have to talk concerning the batting order’ … those conversations are at all times taking place,” McDonald mentioned.
“At this stage, we haven’t felt the need to change too much of that by way of the batting order and line-up.”
Labuschagne made scores of 1 and 31 in the first Check in opposition to Bangladesh before managing simply 4 runs in the second, where Australia solely batted as soon as.
McDonald has also tipped Travis Head to remain as Australia’s opener regardless of his current international innings.
“The Travis Head one is fascinating. He’s completed nicely opening,” McDonald mentioned.
“Do you move the half that’s been incredibly profitable across the final 12 months? It’s a question that we will ask ourselves.
“However because it sits at the moment, I’d say we’re fairly comfortable with him opening and the way in which he’s gone about it.”
Following the ODI sequence, each Connolly and Inglis spoke about the potential for returning to Check cricket in opposition to South Africa.
Connolly wasn’t anxious about where he would are available if called up, adding: “Whether or not that’s at three or it’s in the middle order.”
And for Inglis, the opportunity to play is solely extra important than the place.
“I’ll bat wherever they ask me to if it gets me a sport.”
Australia may have some robust calls to make ahead of the upcoming sequence, but the pair who impressed during the ODI sequence in opposition to Zimbabwe are firmly in the mix for a Check recall.
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RABADA RETURN HOPE AS PROTEAS’ PACE STOCKS TESTED
Within the lead-up to the three-Check sequence in opposition to Australia, Kagiso Rabada has remained a question.
The South African fast is dealing with a right hamstring harm, sustained during coaching in mid-August.
It has already ruled him out of the ODI sequence in opposition to Australia, but head coach Shukri Conrad has supplied an update ahead of the Check sequence.
“It’s going fairly properly, the rehab and the programs that he’s on,” Conrad mentioned.
“I’d be very surprised if we didn’t see him during the Check sequence.
“He’s such a huge player for us, but he appears to order his greatest for Australia. So, I’m fairly confident that we’ll see KG (Rabada).
“There’s still a little bit bit of work to be completed.”
While the harm and rehab are progressing nicely, the timeline and return date aren’t anticipated to be known until nearer to the sequence.
Conrad also referred to Rabada as a “actual specimen” because of his means to get well faster than most.
“I think we’ll clearly have a extremely good concept close this week someday, when he’ll have had a number of weeks of intensive therapy. By all accounts, issues are wanting actually good,” Conrad mentioned.
“However KG is an absolute famous person.
“He’s an actual specimen and he tends to get well faster than the remaining do.
“I’m very optimistic but I’m led by the medical workforce, so my optimism counts for nought in relation to medical.”
Rabada, 31, is one of the greatest fast bowlers on the planet.
In his 73 Check matches he has 340 wickets and greatest innings figures of seven/112.
Towards Australia across his profession, he has also been robust, with 58 wickets across 11 matches and greatest innings figures of 6/54, which he collected back in 2018.
Within the World Check Championship last in opposition to Australia final yr, he collected 9 wickets because the Proteas secured a five-wicket victory.
Alongside Rabada, Lungi Ngidi may even miss your complete ODI sequence with a right hamstring harm, along with his availability for the Check sequence still in question.
That leaves Marco Jansen as the most skilled available seamer for the ODI sequence, and he has spoken about needing to take on extra of a management role.
“It appears like I’m going to have to take that management role,” Jansen mentioned.
“I’ve to attempt to lead from the entrance. It’s in all probability going to be my first time taking up such a role so I’m fairly excited for that.”
And Jansen revealed he will lean on what he has realized from Rabada and Ngidi when taking on the added responsibility.
“Leadership, and I’m solely basing it off of taking part in with KG and Lungi and all those guys, is that when issues go sideways or when issues are robust, especially in the area, you have to have a approach of calming issues down and slowing issues down.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
