Adam Zampa's illness makes room for Tanveer Sangha as Australia set to field four debutants in 1st T20I vs South Africa

Cricket Australia has announced that the national team will field four debutants in the opening T20I against South Africa on Wednesday in Durban. With first-choice spinner Adam Zampa down with illness, Tanveer Sangha will also receive his maiden T20I cap.

Australia had already announced that Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie, and Matthew Short would make their T20I debuts on Wednesday.

Sangha, meanwhile, is also a leg-spinner and has decent numbers in T20 cricket. The 21-year-old has managed 42 scalps in 31 matches at 17.71.

Johnson undoubtedly looks the brightest prospect of the lot and marked a stunning debut in The Hundred.

Playing for the Oval Invincibles, the left-arm quick accumulated 19 dots in his 20-ball spell and gave away only 1 run for 3 wickets. His efforts ensured a 94-run victory for the Invincibles.

Mitchell Marsh, who will make his captaincy debut at the international level, commented that he is thoroughly looking forward to the opportunity.

As quoted by Perth Now, the all-rounder said:

"I don't think it's a whole new ball game, obviously with international cricket there's probably just a little bit more responsibility and perceived pressure at times, but the game doesn't change. The game doesn't change and we've prepared really well, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

Australia already have a fairly long injury list, with Steve Smith (wrist), Mitchell Starc (groin), Glenn Maxwell (ankle), and Pat Cummins (wrist) making them unavailable for the tour.

However, head coach Andrew McDonald, speaking to SEN Radio, said he is optimistic about their availability for the 2023 World Cup.

"I think we're far from settled just with the injury room at the moment. The information on all of them is they will be right for the World Cup which is positive but you never know obviously when you're coming off injury. If there was a reoccurrence then that could shift our thinking a little bit."

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Australia's playing XI for first T20I against South Africa

The playing XI of Australia for their first T20I against South Africa is:

Matt Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Spencer Johnson