Australia will be without fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for Tuesday’s Champions Trophy fixture against South Africa in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood withdrew from the Australian squad before the start of the tournament. Australia are also without all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh. Stoinis recently retired from ODI cricket and Marsh is injured.
“I think that within a team there are opportunities – probably within the bowling there are opportunities. And I think if that presents itself on the day, we will definitely be looking to make use of that opportunity,” said Proteas captain Temba Bavuma.
“But, yes they don’t have their mainstay bowling attack, but look, I think any Australian outfit that comes together for an International Cricket Council event is always one that you can’t take lightly.
“I think they still have enough to be successful as a team. It could be a case of everyone doing a little bit more than what they are accustomed to.”
“We’re quite bullish about our chances. Our confidence is good, so we’re quite optimistic about our chances and how far we can go in this competition,” added Bavuma.
South Africa have won seven of 10 ODIs against Australia since 2020.
Wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen missed South Africa’s first match of the tournament against Afghanistan due to injury. If fit for this fixture, he will likely replace batter Tony de Zorzi in the XI.