Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc ruled out of Australia’s South Africa tour

Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Australia cricketers Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins will be missing the white-ball affair against South Africa due to injuries. In their absence, Ashton Turner has been added to Australia’s T20I squad while Marnus Labuschagne and Spencer Johnson have been included in the ODI team.

Notably, Smith has been nursing a tendon injury in his left wrist, and that injury could keep him sidelined for up to four weeks. Meanwhile, Starc was said to be experiencing groin soreness ever since his return from the UK, where he competed in the World Test Championship final and the Ashes 2023 Tests.

Apart from Starc and Smith, star pacer Cummins also recently confirmed his absence from the South Africa tour as he is currently recovering from a wrist fracture. In Cummins’ absence, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will be leading the team.

However, in a positive news for the Aussies, Cummins is expected to be fit for the ODI leg of the series while Smith and Starc are expected to be fit in time for the upcoming World Cup 2023, scheduled to begin on October 5 in India.

Australia are set to play three T20Is between August 30 to September 3 before participating in the five-match ODI series from September 7 to 17 in the build-up to mega event in India.

We are taking a conservative approach to the build-up to the World Cup: George Bailey

Australia’s national selection panel chair, George Bailey, came forward to state that the recent WTC final and the Ashes 2023 have taken a heavy load on the players.

“The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship were a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach to the build-up to the World Cup,” George Bailey was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.

“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,” he added.

Australia T20I squad changes

OUT: Steve Smith

IN: Ashton Turner

Australia ODI squad changes

OUT: Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc

IN: Marnus Labuschagne, Spencer Johnson

Australia T20I squad: 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: 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