Why is Pat Cummins Not Captaining in SA vs AUS 1st ODI Today?

Australia has been dealt a big blow ahead of the first ODI of three against South Africa, as their regular skipper, Pat Cummins, will not play. This is a big blow for the Australian side, who are in South Africa for a 3-match ODI and a 3-match Test series. The reason stated is that Pat Cummins arrived in the country later than Mitchell Starc, who will be available for the first match, along with Josh Hazlewood. In his absence, Mitchell Marsh will captain the side in the first ODI set to be played in Durban. This series will also play an important role for Australia as the 2027 ODI World Cup draws closer.

Is Pat Cummins Captaining in SA vs AUS 1st ODI?

Pat Cummins, one of the best captains in the world, will not be leading the team in the SA vs AUS 1st ODI. Australia will keep an eye on the workload of their fast bowlers, so all their main fast bowlers, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, will not play all three ODIs. One of the main reasons for this decision is that they are prioritising the three-match Test series that will follow the ODI series.

The Test series is vital to Australia's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final 2027. Cummins has already said he will play fewer ODIs in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup, and maybe only one ODI against South Africa in this series. He last played an ODI in November 2024. Mitchell Marsh has been leading the side since February 2025 and will continue to do so in the first ODI.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins missed the recently concluded 3-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe, and Josh Hazlewood just played the third ODI. In their place, Nathan Ellis took the mantle of leading the pace attack, and he did a tremendous job.

Nathan Ellis's performance in Zimbabwe series

Nathan Ellis was the standout performer in the series against Zimbabwe, taking nine wickets, and Mitchell Starc was in awe of the fast bowler, saying he has grown in confidence as an ODI bowler over the last few years and that it was great to see him rewarded.

Nathan Ellis is all set to play the three ODIs against South Africa, as the main trio will not play every match, and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the side when they all return. Ellis is a great death bowler, along with Pat Cummins, while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are primarily new-ball wicket-takers.