JOHANNESBURG: Australia’s bowling attack for their three One-day Inter­nationals against South Africa has been considerably strengthened with captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc joining the squad along with all-rounder Jack Edwa­rds, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

Cummins and Starc sat out the 3-0 series win in Zimbabwe over the last week but will play in the series in South Africa, which starts in Durban on Thursday.

Edwards, 26, is in line to make his ODI debut after diverting from the Australia A tour of India, while fast bowlers Billy Stanlake and Spencer Johnson return home after competing in Zimbabwe.

Stanlake suffered a side strain and will have medical scans on his return to Australia. Johnson was deemed surplus to requirements after playing two of the three matches in Harare.

Edwards has played a single Twenty20 international against Pakistan in January and offers cover with Cameron Green struggling with a sore shoulder, which caused him to sit out the three fixtures in Zimbabwe.

After leading the series 2-0, Australia had to fight for the eventual one-wicket victory in the final ODI.

Their wicket-keeper-batter, who scored a century in the match, said the win will give the squad confidence they can fight their way through difficult situations, which could prove vital at next year’s World Cup.

After their openers departed early, Inglis (103) scored his second ODI century to help Australia reach their target of 272 with one ball to spare, completing a 3-0 series whitewash.

“I think we’re going to get in those situations again,” said Inglis. “For those guys to have done that today with a World Cup 12 months away, it will leave a good feeling with them, and they’ll have a better idea of how to go about that situation again next time.”

Despite losing his wicket and needing team-mate Nathan Ellis to steer the side over the finish line, Inglis said he was glad to find his rhythm after scores of 4 and 21 in the first two matches of the series.

“We just play a lot of Twenty20 cricket now, and it’s just me finding the right tempo for one-day cricket, and I sort of found that today,” the 31-year-old added. “Playing in a slightly different role with a younger team, I’ve probably got to take some more responsibility in batting at number four.

“I wasn’t there right at the end, but to get there until the 40th over and get a hundred, I’m happy with it.”

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026