While one Australia team struggle to come to terms with a massive capitulation at the hands of Pakistan, another one will look to assert their dominance at home when the Australia clash with South Africa in the 1st T20 international in Adelaide on Wednesday.
Australia were poor, and then some, in the two Test matches against Pakistan, barely putting up a fight against the Asian powerhouses in the UAE.
Owing to the fact that quite of few of the senior players and T20 regulars are a part of the Test squad, the Australia team that takes the field against South Africa on Wednesday will be packed with a few newbies, all desperate to make their mark, and quite a few familiar faces making their return from injuries.
"I've never experienced anything like this -- to be here with an Australian squad but still be watching on TV another Australian team plying its trade in the UAE seems very bizarre," said Shane Watson, who missed out on that series against Pakistan owing to ankle and calf injuries.
"Knowing there's only a day or two between that Test match ending and when we start over here is interesting scheduling, but that's the way it is."
Another Australia player making his comeback from injury is the tearaway fast bowler Pat Cummins, who will play his first international match in over two years when he marks his run up against South Africa.
Cummins has struggled with back injuries over the past couple of years, and T20 captain Aaron Finch believes this is the perfect platform for the fast bowler to relaunch his career.
"When you have got a guy as skilful as Pat in your squad, it adds a real lot of depth," Finch said on Tuesday. "He can bat, bowl, is brilliant in the field.
"So for Australian cricket to have him back is a real asset. He is someone who can swing the ball, and in Twenty20 it's about taking wickets and he's a definite wicket-taker.
"When you have that asset, it just gives you so much at the top of the order with the ball. If you can knock over good players early in this format, it goes a long way to winning."
While there is plenty of experimentation in the Australia camp, the same goes for South Africa as well, with the Proteas resting the likes of AB De Villiers, the ODI captain, Faf Du Plessis, the regular T20I captain, Hashim Amla, the Test captain, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel ahead of more pressing matters – the one-day internationals series against the same opponents.
With the ICC Cricket World Cup only a few months away, most teams are focusing on playing as much 50-over cricket as possible, and in the absence of the above mentioned key players, JP Duminy will take over the captaincy duties for South Africa, with the left-hander, no doubt, as keen as you can get, to make an impression as the leader.
Where to Watch Live
The match is scheduled for a 7.35 pm EST (2.05 pm IST, 8.35 am GMT) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD2. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India on Starsports.com.
Catch the action in Australia on Gem or via a live stream on Cricket Australia Live. Viewers in the UK can catch the 1st T20 international match on Sky Sports 2. The match can also be watched via live streaming on Watch Sky Sports or Sky Go.
Viewers in the USA can live stream the action on Willow TV, while audience in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the game on OSN or live online on OSN Play. South Africa viewers can catch all the T20 action on SuperSport 2 or via a live stream on SuperSport Live Online.
