Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is set to play after sitting out for two months due to a shoulder injury Getty

South Africa take on Australia in the first T20 International (T20I) of the three-match series on 4 March at Kingsmead, Durban.

Where to watch live

The match starts at 4pm GMT. Live coverage of the game in the UK is available on Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports 3 HD. Click here for the live streaming link.

Overview

In what is a precursor to the ICC T20 World Cup 2016, South Africa host Australia in the first of three T20 Internationals on Friday. Both the teams will look to use this series to help finalise their starting XI for the upcoming World Cup that starts in a week's time.

The hosts come into this game on the back of some impressive performances in the T20 format, having won three of their last four series, most notably against India in the subcontinent in January. However, it will be interesting to see how the team performs against their nemesis Australia, as they have not yet been able to claim bragging rights over their old enemy in this format of the game.

The Proteas batting looks settled, with AB De Villiers set to open, something which they feel is best for the team, with either Hashim Amla or Quinton De Kock set to partner with him at the top. Fast bowling phenomenon Dale Steyn is set to return after missing two months due to a shoulder injury and this means that either Kyle Abott or one of the all-rounders sit out for this tie.

Their opponents, Australia, were recently thrashed by India at home in their T20 series and will be looking to get back on track, with the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 just a week away. History shows that they tend to perform well against the Proteas, winning nine of the 14 games they have played in the T20 format.

Opener Aaron Finch is expected to miss out, with Usman Khawaja and Shane Watson set to open, with Warner coming in at number three. Adam Zampa is struggling with a stomach bug and missed Thursday's training. If he does not recover, Ashton Agar will make his T20 debut.

Prediction

South Africa to win

Betting odds (betfair)

  • South Africa to win: 7/10
  • England to win: 11/10

Team news

South Africa

Possible XI: Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), AB de Villiers, Rilee Rossouw, David Miler, JP Duminy, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, David Wiese, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir

Australia

Possible XI: Usman Khawaja, Shane Watson, Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, John Hastings, Josh Hazelwood, Ashton Agar