We'll miss our skipper - Morkel

South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel admits his side will miss captain Graeme Smith in the upcoming limited-overs matches against Australia.

Smith has returned home following the 2-1 Test series victory with an elbow injury, leaving Johan Botha to lead the team, starting at the MCG tomorrow in the first of two Twenty20 clashes.

“You can’t really replace his presence in the changing room and out on the field," Morkel said of Smith.

“He's an unbelievable guy to work with as you've seen with all our young guys.

“He knows how to push the right buttons. He's definitely going to be missed.”

Like Australia, the Proteas' one-day side is undergoing a transitional period ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

Herschelle Gibbs continues his international career in the one-dayers but gone are senior pacemen Shaun Pollock and Charl Langeveldt, who have both been mainstays in the Proteas ODI set-up.

Morne Morkel's bounce and pace could cause Australia problems in the upcoming Twenty20 and ODI matches

"They've been really big players for us, one with the new ball and also in the death overs. I think it's just a matter of finding the right mix of bowlers to replace them," said Morkel.

"We've definitely found guys who can do the job but it's a matter of playing it out on the field in those situations.

"It's a good opportunity to test ourselves against the best one-day side in the world to see where we are in terms of that."

Among the next generation of players are the likes of Morkel, his brother Albie, paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe, teenager Wayne Parnell and Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

Albie Morkel is on the comeback trail from a shoulder injury which has forced him to remould his throwing action, but at his best is a hard-hitting batsman and a handy medium-pacer.

He is looking forward to resuming bowling tomorrow in front of a crowd in excess of 70,000.

"I'm feeling much stronger and much better," Albie Morkel said.

"I haven't bowled in a game yet. I've done a lot of bowling back home and unfortunately the last two domestic games have been washed out."

Tsotsobe and Parnell are likely to get opportunities if the selectors decide to rotate their bowlers to keep Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel fresh for the return Test series against Australia in South Africa starting next month.

Australia also have a few fresh faces in their squad, notably Shaun Tait, who has not featured for his country since taking a break for the game 12 months ago, citing physical and mental exhaustion.