Depleted - Who us? - Aussie coach Lehmann

There appears to be a misconception that with recent withdrawals and injuries, the Aussies bring a depleted side into the coming Series.

That is a notion, however, that Aussie head coach Darren Lehmann dismissed. He said with a busy schedule and the constant switch between codes, rotation of players remains very important and he’s confident with the depth in the squad.

The Aussies arrived in SA without their top two fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who are both expected to feature prominently in the November Test series between the two nations in Australia.

Lehmann says he has faith in his crop of up and coming fast bowlers, Daniel Worrall, Chris Tremain and Joe Mennie, all of whom have yet to earn an international cap and are likely to be unleashed during the ODI Series in South Africa.

Nevertheless, he’s really looking forward to renewing the old rivalry between two of the oldest foes in the game, particularly with an Aussie ODI side in transition and building towards next year's ICC Champions Trophy.

Australian captain Steven Smith returned home early from the recent tour to Sri Lanka to get some much needed rest ahead of the summer, which also features a tough home Test Series against the Proteas in November.

Smith said despite a layoff, he's by no means rusty and had some decent batting workouts ahead of this ODI Series.

Smith added that, unlike the West Indies or sub-continent, conditions in South Africa were as close as they will get to their familiar Aussie conditions.

Much is being made of the switch between codes and a degree of specialization has crept into the game but Smith was adamant that the switch between codes shouldn’t affect modern day cricketers.

The first ODI is on Friday September 30^th at SuperSport Park, Centurion. South Africa face Ireland in an ODI at Willomoore Park in Benoni on Sunday. Australia will get their tilt at Ireland on Tuesday (27 September).