Proteas will look to exploit Australia's inexperienced bowling attack

Australia are missing their trio of fast bowlers that includes captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood that won the 2023 World Cup in India.

The Aussies conceded a total of 351-8 in their Champions Trophy opener against England without their front-line pacemen but the batters stepped up to ensure they made a winning start to the tournament in a record run-chase.

Australia opted for a seam attack of Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson against England, with the trio only having 17 ODI caps between them and taken 19 wickets.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma said: "Any Australian outfit that comes together for an ICC event is always one you don't take lightly.

"They don't have their mainstay bowling attack, but I think they still have enough to be successful as a team, and it could be the case that their batters need to do a little bit more than they're accustomed to.

"I think there are opportunities in their team, especially in their bowling, and if that presents itself on the day, we'll be looking to make use of those.

"But having said that, we won't be taking them lightly."

The Proteas are still sweating on the fitness of middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen, who missed the 107-run victory over Afghanistan on Friday due to an injury to his left elbow.

If Klaasen is declared fit, opener Tony De Zorzi - who scored 11 against Afghanistan - could make way and Bavuma would then shift from number three to the top of the order.

READ MORE: Temba Bavuma coy over Heinrich Klaasen fitness