South Africa to throw all at PM's XI

South Africa will play close to their best available team against the Prime Minister's XI, their only warm-up game before the one-day series against Australia.

South Africa's coach Ottis Gibson.

Ottis Gibson aims to field the strongest South African side possible against the President's X1. (AAP)

South Africa will take close to their strongest possible team into Wednesday's Prime Minister's XI clash, which doubles up as their only warm-up game for next week's one-day international series against Australia.

The Proteas will begin their tour in Canberra on Wednesday, before heading to Perth for the first ODI against the Aussies on Sunday followed by two more in Adelaide and Hobart.

The visitors are without Hashim Amla (finger) and JP Duminy (shoulder) for the tour, but have quick Dale Steyn back at their disposal.

"Unfortunately we haven't got enough time to have more matches, so therefore we have to take this one very seriously and put a good team out," South Africa coach Ottis Gibson said on Tuesday.

"(We'll pick) as close to (the strongest team) I think. Most of the guys that will play in Perth will play tomorrow or are quite likely to play barring injuries."

Kagiso Rabada joins Steyn as the other chief quick on the tour, as does Test bowler Lungi Ngidi.

"(Dale)'s been fantastic," Gibson said.

"He had a couple of (one-day) games against Zimbabwe, obviously he has been involved in our red-ball stuff a lot more than the white ball stuff, but since he has come back in the white-ball stuff he has been fantastic."

Meanwhile, PM's XI captain George Bailey, Queenslander Sam Heazlett and quick Jason Behrendorff are the only players with international experience for a hosts' side that includes up and comers Jason Sangha and Jack Edwards.

"We just spoke about it ... It's a game with no downside to be involved in and only a huge upside," Bailey said.

"You play well against a side as talent-laden and as quality as South Africa, some of the best players in the world, some of the best players in the history of the game.

"What a great opportunity to show your wares and no doubt a good individual performance against this kind of side does put your name up in lights a little bit."


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Source: AAP


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