Predicting AUS’s Playing XI for the 3rd T20I against SA in the South Africa tour of Australia 2025

Australia will be eager to respond in the third T20I against South Africa after being soundly defeated by 53 runs in Darwin last time out. The Proteas made a massive 218/7, thanks mainly to Dewald Brevis’s 125, and that was always going to be too much for the Australians to chase. Australia showed some signs of fight, led by Tim David, but with the batsmen looking second-rate, they need more fight if they want to stay alive in the series. South Africa will have all the momentum, and the Australians will need to rely on all their firepower and strategic bowling to make a comeback in Cairns. Here is my best possible XI based on the previous game.

Openers

The responsibility of anchoring the innings rests on Head and Marsh. Head had a tough time in Darwin with a paltry 5 runs off 8 deliveries; however, with his experience and ability to play anchor, he simply cannot be dropped! When Head is in his stride, there is no bowler, pace or spin, that he isn’t a challenge for, and provides the team with a platform, knowing he can hit the ball to all areas.

Mitchell Marsh also showed some intent towards the backend with 22 runs off 13 balls. I believe Marsh’s attacking instincts, along with his ability to keep the strike turning over and hit the rope, make him a strong partner with Head to provide a platform for a chase, and counter the opening bowlers of South Africa, who have shown some reasonable form so far.

Middle Order

The middle order is important for Australia; Tim David and Glenn Maxwell are the players to be relied on. David was the best player of the last game, with a 50 off 24 balls at over 208 strike rate. He is an aggressive hitter who never stops looking to score and can seize an innings and put it at will into attack mode in the death.

Maxwell did not hit much in the last game with 16, but he is a performer with match-winning qualities and can inject velocity in the middle-five overs. Maxwell is known for creative, sometimes unconventional stroke-making and experience in match-winning mechanics, similar to both chasing and setting a total will be a fantastic experience to rely on if the match situation dictates.

All-Rounders

Both Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh play pivotal all-rounder roles in the Australian team. Despite a quiet game last time out, where he scored only 9, Green will be crucial with his ability to contribute as a bowler and also to play important cameos. Marsh is another reliable all-round option that has the potential to take vital wickets and hit key runs under pressure.

Bowlers

Australia’s bowling attack must come to the party, with Josh Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis as two critical wicket-taking options. Hazlewood was expensive in Darwin, but as the old saying goes, he’s a pure bowler and a master of line and length. He can strike early in a match and is brilliant at keeping the middle overs tight. In the previous match, Dwarshuis took 2/24, using his clever variations to leave batters guessing in the final overs.

FAQs:

1. Who are the likely openers for Australia in the 3rd T20I?

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.

2. Which middle-order players could impact the game?

Tim David and Glenn Maxwell are key middle-order batters for Australia.

3. Who are Australia’s main all-rounders in this match?

Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh provide balance with bat and ball.