BREVIS SET TO DEBUT

THE Proteas have reverted from their customary playing XI reveal on the eve of the match, but all signs point to Dewald Brevis being handed an ODI debut against Australia in the series opener in Cairns on Tuesday (6.30am start).

Brevis was the Proteas’ standout performer during the preceding T20s with the 22-year-old enjoying a breakout international series. 

The youngster klapped a 41-ball century in Darwin and a half-century in Cairns, and has everyone Down Under salivating at his clean-ball striking.

Captain Temba Bavuma was keen to see Brevis transfer this form to the 50-over format. 

Bavuma wysed: “I think it’s always exciting when you see the young faces.

“Obviously, the big talker guy like Brevis, you know, putting up his hand and showing what he is capable of. 

“So, again, excited to see what he can also bring within the one-day stuff and all the other guys.”

Bavuma confirmed that he will bat at No 3 during the series with the Proteas continuing with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton at the top of the order.

Bavuma is comfortable at first-drop, but feels the unfamiliar conditions in Cairns will be a greater adaptation. 

He added: “We’ve never been to this part of the world. So nice, again, to get to explore a different part of Australia. I think my experience of playing in Australia this time of the year was in our A series. That’s a couple of years ago.

“So here specifically, the guys say the wicket is a little bit more on the slower side. But again, I think like everything, we just try to adapt.”

The Proteas have added paceman Kwena Maphaka to the ODI squad after the teen was the leading wicket-taker in the T20 series.