Miller, de Kock, Coetzee in South Africa squad for Australia ODIs

Gerald Coetzee is back for ODIs after last playing the format in the 2023 World Cup

South Africa have announced as close to a full-strength squad as they have available to open their home summer, with an ODI series against Australia. Regular captain Temba Bavuma will lead the team which, in the clearest indication that they are part of the plans for the 2027 World Cup, includes David Miller and Quinton de Kock. Neither Miller nor de Kock are currently centrally contracted but both were at this year's T20 World Cup and continue to play in franchise leagues around the world.

"Quinny is going to be playing whenever we need him to play," Shukri Conrad, South Africa's head coach, said on Monday. "ODI cricket is probably Quinny's best format and he will play all the ODIs. David will play Australia and probably miss Bangladesh because he has ILT20 commitments."

With Kagiso Rabada out of the series as he recovers from a hamstring injury, Gerald Coetzee, who has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup will make his return. Coetzee has battled a series of injuries in the last three years but played for South Africa A against England Lions in June and against Bangladesh A recently.RelatedRabada out of Australia ODIs, races against time for Tests

"It's great to see Gerald back in the fold and, by all accounts, he's been bowling nice and quickly," Conrad said.

"KG is out of the ODIs and we are constantly monitoring his rehabilitation. When we sit down to select a Test squad, we will make an informed decision. He is tracking nicely, going on reports from physios," Conrad said during a press conference on Monday. "Anrich Nortje was not considered for the ODIs. I don't think he has done enough for now but don't be surprised if he plays the Bangladesh series."

Coetzee will be joined by Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman in a six-man pace pack. South Africa have opted for two spinners, both left-arm, in Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin, who is currently captaining them in the Namibia tri-series. Batter Tony de Zorzi is the only other member of the original Namibia touring party who has been named for the Australia series.

That means South Africa's batting line-up will not feature Dewald Brevis, who was the joint leading run-scorer in the Namibia T20I tri-series, because he will play first-class cricket in preparation for the Test summer. Aiden Markram will only be available for the second and third ODIs with regulars Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs.

"Everybody that is not here or in the A side will be playing the first round of first-class cricket," Conrad said. "And everyone not in the ODI squad will play in the second round. That includes Dewald. He competes for a spot in the middle order and there he competes with Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller. He will definitely get a crack in ODI in the Bangladesh series.Dewald Brevis is not in the ODI squad to play first-class cricket•Namibia Cricket

"We've got six ODIs before we play England. The England squad will be a shadow squad for the World Cup. We've got a few guys vying for space at the top in terms of Aiden, Ricks, Quinny and Tony. It's just about making sure everyone gets a fair crack at it."

The shape of the line-up will be formative in terms of South Africa's plan for the 2027 World Cup.

"With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping the squad as we build towards the tournament, while also giving those players who are in the frame opportunities when we face Bangladesh and England later in the season," Conrad said. "We have a clear idea of the combinations we want and the roles we need players to fulfill. From a batting perspective, we've looked at making sure we have a middle order that can be explosive but have the ability to absorb pressure and take the innings quite deep. That balance is going to be important for us."

South Africa's ODIs against Australia are their second 50-over assignment of the summer after the three matches in Namibia that will take place this week with a second-string squad. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Andile Simelane were included for the Namibia games but have been ruled out with an adductor and abdominal injury respectively, and have been replaced by Corbin Bosch and Matthew Breetzke. The first match in that series takes place on Wednesday.

South Africa ODI squad for Australia

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs