The highly anticipated T20I series between Australia and South Africa has begun, with the first match taking place on August 10, 2025, at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. This series marks a return to the Northern Territory for international cricket after 17 years. Both teams are using this series as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Australia enters the series fresh off a dominant 5-0 whitewash against the West Indies in the Caribbean. South Africa, on the other hand, is looking to rebound after a disappointing tri-series in Harare where they lost all their games to New Zealand. However, they now have a full-strength squad with the return of key players like Kagiso Rabada and captain Aiden Markram.

One of the most significant announcements is that Mitchell Marsh will open the innings alongside Travis Head for Australia. Marsh confirmed that this will be the opening pair for the "foreseeable future," including the 2026 T20 World Cup. While they haven't opened together in T20Is, their ODI record is impressive, averaging over 50 as an opening pair. Marsh's previous success at No. 3 in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Match in the final, is well-documented. Since David Warner's retirement, Australia has experimented with several openers, including Jake Fraser-McGurk and Glenn Maxwell.

The Australian squad, led by Mitchell Marsh, includes experienced players like Josh Hazlewood and emerging all-rounders Cameron Green and Tim David. South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, features a blend of young talent like Dewald Brevis and established players like Kagiso Rabada. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are notably absent from the Australian T20I squad.

The first two T20Is will be held at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin, followed by the third and final T20I at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. The series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.

Cricket Australia is returning to Darwin for the first time in 17 years. Their last appearance in the Northern Territory was in a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in 2008. Australia has won five of their seven men's T20Is against South Africa in Australia. South Africa has struggled in T20I series outside of South Africa, winless in their last four.

The first T20I is set to begin at 2:45 PM IST. The toss is scheduled for 2:15 PM IST. In India, the series will be telecast on the Star Sports network and streamed live on JioHotstar.