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Australia’s cricket team has been dealt a significant setback as star players Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc have been ruled out of the upcoming tour of South Africa. According to cricket.com.au, both Smith and Starc are nursing injuries that will keep them out of action during the white-ball series against the Proteas. However, they are expected to make a full recovery in time for the highly anticipated ODI World Cup in India.
Not to mention, Pat Cummins had also sidelined himself due to a fractured wrist. In light of these developments, the mantle of ODI captaincy has been handed to Mitchell Marsh, who was recently appointed as Australia’s T20 skipper.
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Smith deals with tendon injury, Starc has groin soreness
Smith, who recently smashed a century in the Ashes 2023, is dealing with a tendon injury to his left wrist. This injury is expected to keep him out of action for up to four weeks. His absence not only affects the batting lineup but also leaves a void in the opening slot for the T20 matches, a role he was set to fill following his impressive performances in the previous Big Bash League (BBL) season.
Starc, on the other hand, has been grappling with groin soreness since returning from the UK, where he participated in the WTC final and four Ashes Tests. Starc’s absence will provide an opportunity for left-arm quick Spencer Johnson to make his international debut in both white-ball formats.
National selector George Bailey emphasized that the squad’s primary focus is on the upcoming World Cup, and hence, a conservative approach is being taken in managing the players’ fitness. Bailey explained, “With the World Cup the priority of the squad, it was determined on advice that it was best for Steve and Mitchell to join the group in India by which time we expect them to be fully fit and available for the Indian ODI series, plus the World Cup warm-up fixture.”
Furthermore, Marnus Labuschagne, who was initially omitted from Australia’s extended 18-player World Cup squad, has been given an ODI reprieve due to Smith’s absence. Labuschagne will now join the squad for the 50-over fixtures.
Also READ: Australia announces their 18-man squad for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
Australia T20I squad (Updated): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa
Australia ODI squad (Updated): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
