Australia reinvent, while South Africa experiment

Match facts

November 5, 2014 Start time 19:05 local, 08:35 GMT

In the aftermath of a Test series that could have affected the No.1 ranking, like the one Australia have just been part of, and in the midst of the kind of intensive World Cup preparation South Africa have been doing, nothing could seem more out of a place than a T20 series. But here one is. Don't expect it to be the most talked-about event in cricket over the next week but there will be some things to keep an eye on in the three-match contest.

South Africa are using it in the way one would a science laboratory: for experimentation. All their main men - regular T20 captain Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander - are being rested, creating room to trial youngsters and different combinations. JP Duminy has been elevated to the captaincy, a position the administrators have identified he could occupy in future, while under-19 World Cup winner Kagiso Rabada is certain to enjoy a first senior outing merely seven months after lifting the age-group trophy.

Australia are performing similar tests but theirs involve going back to players who have been waiting in the wings for reasons ranging from recovery of health to recovery of form. Pat Cummins, Shane Watson and Cameron White are all back while the Test players enjoy time off but they have been careful to balance that with the inclusion of some rookies.

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Australia have been shot in this movie before: Shane Watson plays a little, Shane Watson gets injured, Shane Watson recovers, Shane Watson gets recalled ... This time they are hoping for a different script. The allrounder will make yet another return to the national side, this time with a view to being part of the squad that will take on India this summer and participate in a home World Cup. His first test will be staying on the park, and if he can do that, Australia can begin to think of how they will fit him into their XI.

It's no secret that South Africa's ODI side is still searching for a lower-order allrounder and Wayne Parnell is one of the contenders. But he needs to string together consistently strong performances if he is to seriously challenge for a place and this series could provide the opportunity to do that. Parnell should get a run in all three matches and will need to do far better with ball than he did in the warm-up, when he conceded 44 runs in four overs and went wicket-less. He has already proven himself handy with the bat and more contributions in that department won't hurt his chances either.

Pat Cummins could make a much-anticipated comeback after last appearing for Australia more than two years ago, in October 2012, and this will serve as a litmus test for his fitness. Also in line for a second coming is Cameron White, who has not played since the World T20, and could open with Aaron Finch or Watson. Allrounder Nathan Reardon and wicketkeeper Ben Dunk could be in line for a debut.

Australia (possible): 1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 Cameron White, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Nic Maddinson, 5 Ben Dunk (wk), 6 Nathan Reardon, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Cameron Boyce, 11 Doug Bollinger

Reeza Hendricks and Rabada are both in line for debuts, though Rabada may have to wait his turn as Marchant de Lange may be given a run ahead of him. In the middle order there is an opportunity for Farhaan Behardien, who has been in good form on the domestic scene. Imran Tahir had recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during the ODIs in New Zealand, but Parnell was hit on the toe in training and the swelling will be monitored overnight.

South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Rilee Rossouw, 4 JP Duminy (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Imran Tahir, 9 Wayne Parnell, 10 Kyle Abbott, 11 Marchant de Lange

"For Australian cricket to have him back is a real asset. He's someone who can swing the ball and in Twenty20 it's about taking wickets, and he's a definite wicket-taker. If you can knock over good players early in this format I think it goes a long way to winning the game in the first six overs."
Australia's captain Aaron Finch is looking forward to having Pat Cummins at his disposal

"He's bowling some good pace in domestic scenes and he definitely deserves his call-up again. It's been unfortunate that he's one of these guys that has been hampered by injuries, but he's fit and strong and ready to go. It'll be good to see him out representing the country again."
South Africa's captain JP Duminy is similarly enthused by Marchant de Lange