Cummins to Play Rare ODIs Before South Africa Test Tour

Australia’s Test leaders are shifting gears with purpose. Pat Cummins is set to feature in rare one-day appearances before the South Africa Test tour, with the captain openly admitting the white-ball games will be used as preparation for the red-ball challenge ahead.

Cummins locks in South Africa focus

After Australia’s commanding innings-and-51-run win over Bangladesh in Mackay, Cummins made it clear where the bigger priority lies. The skipper said he was “pretty sure” the upcoming ODI schedule would be approached with the Test series in mind, especially with Australia heading into a demanding stretch in unfamiliar conditions.

Australia’s next assignment begins with three ODIs in Zimbabwe and another three in South Africa in late September, before the Test series starts in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town in October. Cummins indicated he may skip the Zimbabwe leg, but expects to play some of the white-ball matches in South Africa.

“So I’d imagine it’d be one, two, probably a maximum of three games out of those six,” Cummins said, acknowledging that his workload will be carefully managed ahead of the Test tour.

Rare ODI run for Australia’s pace spearhead

Cummins has played just two of a possible 28 ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, underlining how heavily Australia have leaned into Test preparation and pace management. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to follow a similar pattern, with all three quicks prioritising the format where Australia’s biggest challenges now await.

Hazlewood said he expected to play some of the 50-over series, while Starc kept it simple, saying he would “do what he’s told.” The message is clear: these matches are not being treated as standalone contests, but as stepping stones toward a major Test assignment.

South Africa tour carries extra weight

The upcoming Test series will be Australia’s first in South Africa since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, an episode that still hangs over the rivalry. Steve Smith was banned for a year and removed as captain after the sandpaper incident in Cape Town, while David Warner was suspended for 12 months.

For Cummins, the trip is about more than history. Australia also lost the World Test Championship final to South Africa at Lord’s last year, which adds another layer of motivation to a series already heavy with context and expectation.

“We had a big series against them a couple of years ago in Australia and we probably exceeded expectations and played really well,” Cummins said. “They got us back at Lord’s last year and outplayed us. So it’s going to be big in their home conditions.”

“That’s why I love playing Test cricket. It’s all different conditions, different opponents, different parts of the world.”

The return to South Africa also comes with practical challenges. Cummins noted that pitches can vary sharply from venue to venue, pointing out that Durban and Cape Town often demand different approaches. For Australia, that means the ODIs offer a chance to adapt early while keeping an eye on the bigger prize.

Selection questions begin to build

Only Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Smith, Nathan Lyon and Matt Renshaw have previously played Test cricket in South Africa, which adds intrigue to the selection picture. Renshaw is likely to retain his place despite a modest return in Mackay after three years away from the Test side.

The bigger discussion may centre on Marnus Labuschagne, who managed only 36 runs in three innings against Bangladesh and has not scored a Test century since 2023. Cummins backed the right-hander’s work ethic while stressing that form must be proven in the middle.

“He’s been batting fantastically well off the field,” Cummins said. “But it doesn’t mean much. You’ve got to convert that into runs out there.”

That sums up Australia’s current mood: confidence in the group, but no room for passengers. The South Africa tour is shaping up as a serious early test of depth, discipline and intent, with Cummins and his pace group preparing to hit the ground running even if it means sacrificing some ODI appearances along the way.