New Delhi: Australia have announced the ODI and T20I squad for the limited-overs series against South Africa. The Aussies are scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against the Proteas men from August 10.
Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood have made a return to the limited-overs teams for the home series. Both players missed the recently concluded five-match T20I series against the West Indies, which the Aussies won 5-0.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were not picked for the series against the Windies, and they continued to be rested ahead of the busy home season. In the absence of regular skipper Cummins, Mitchell Starc will lead the ODI team against South Africa as well.
The middle-order slots are up for grabs after the recent retirements of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, the selectors have handed Mitchell Owen his maiden ODI call-up, and Cameron Green also returns in the team. Marnus Labuschagne retain his place in the ODI team despite getting axed from Test XI due to poor form.
Matthew Short has recovered from a minor side strain and is included in both squads. Sean Abbott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly, and Aaron Hardie have not been picked in the ODI team, while Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, Connolly and Bartlett were replaced by Head and Hazlewood as the selectors reduced the T20I squad to 14 members.
“The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity,” Chief selector George Bailey said.
He further added that the selectors expect this to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as they balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer.
Australia’s T20I and ODI squads for series against South Africa
T20I squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.