No Supersubs in ODI series

The Supersub rule will not be used during the ODI series between South Africa and Australia. Chris Broad, match referee for the series, met both captains, Graeme Smith and Ricky Ponting in Johannesburg on Friday to discuss the matter. It was decided at this meeting that Supersubs would not be used.

But Broad added that as the Supersub trial was still effectively an ICC playing condition, it would have to be complied with during the series although neither team would play their Supersub at any stage during the series. "Both teams have agreed to name a starting eleven and a Supersub; however, Graeme and Ricky have agreed that the Supersub will not be used in a playing capacity at any stage during the five-match series."

The Supersub rule has come in for criticism from a number of captains around the world, including Ponting and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Both have argued that by naming a Supersub before the toss as opposed to after, winning the toss becomes unduly important. Increasing scepticism about the innovation, which the ICC introduced last year, led to the ICC announcing after a meeting of board chief executives last week that the Supersub trial would not be used in any ODI series after March 21. The decision to discontinue the trial is, however, yet to be ratified by the Executive Board of the ICC.

South Africa beat Australia by two runs in the opening game of the tour, a Twenty20 match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg and the two sides meet in the ODI series opener on Sunday at SuperSport Park, Centurion.