Big guns return for South Africa as Quinton de Kock starts final ODI series on home soil
South Africa have announced their playing XI for the first of five ODIs against Australia starting in Bloemfontein on Thursday, with Quinton de Kock set for his final 50-over series on home soil.
Quinton de Kock.It was confirmed on Tuesday that the 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will retire from ODI cricket at the conclusion of the World Cup that starts in India next month.
The Proteas rested several first-choice players in the recently-concluded three-match T20 series that the touring Australians won in Durban.
De Kock will open the innings with captain Temba Bavuma while David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen return in the middle-order.
Bavuma spoke about De Kock's decision to retire from the ODI format on Wednesday, saying: "It's always been a pleasure playing with Quinton from our U15 days at school.
"He is an incredible player, talented; too much talent. He will be a big loss to South Africa at least in the ODI stuff.
"He is one of the guys I lean on from a tactical point of view. Not having him within the space is going to be a bit of a challenge but it's something we will have to overcome."
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is also back after missing the T20 matches but fellow paceman Anrich Nortje will be sitting out the ODI series opener.
Rabada will be joined in the seam-bowling attack by Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee while Marco Jansen was chosen as the all-rounder at number seven.
Keshav Maharaj continues his remarkable recovery from an Achilles' rupture sustained in March and will be the sole frontline spinner with Aiden Markram offering a part-time option.
Proteas team to Australia in first ODI: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
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