Australia bowl first, Carey in for ill Inglis; SA recall van der Dussen

Australia returned to doing what they enjoy most and chose to chase as they look to extend their record T20I winning streak to 10 matches. After successfully defending 178 against South Africa on Sunday, Mitchell Marsh went back to what Australia did so well in the West Indies, where they won all five matches bowling first, as they continue to trial their go-for-broke batting strategy.

They were forced to make a change to their batting line-up with Josh Inglis out due to illness. Inglis played the first match while feeling unwell as he struggles with flu-like symptoms. Alex Carey was called in as cover and came into the XI at No. 7, playing his first T20I since 2021, which pushed Glenn Maxwell up to No. 5. Australia's other change was a bowling switch. Sean Abbott came in for Nathan Ellis, who went wicketless at the weekend and conceded 44 in four overs.

South Africa also made two changes and benched both their left-arm spin-bowling allrounders George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy, but lengthened the batting line-up. Rassie van der Dussen was added to the team and carded at No.6 with legspinner Nqaba Peter getting an opportunity in a pace-heavy attack. South Africa have four frontline seamers and may turn to Aiden Markram's offspin for variety.

The match is being played on the same surface as the first game, where it was consistent through the game, though dew became a factor for the bowling team in the second innings. Still, Australia managed to defend their score and Markram, who would also have bowled first, said he thought a score of above 180 would be competitive.

Australia lead the three match series 1-0.

Australia: 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Cameron Green, 4 Tim David, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Owen, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Ben Dwarshuis, 9 Sean Abbott, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood

South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Rassie van der Dussen, 7 Corbin Bosch, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Nqaba Peter, 10 Kwena Maphaka, 11 Lungi Ngidi