Australia cope with serious injuries vs South Africa; 1 bowler, 1 Batsman, and 1 all-rounder ruled out
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The Australian cricket team has to cope with injury concerns, as Matt Short, Mitchell Owen, and Lance Morris have been ruled out of the series against South Africa, while Aaron Hardie and Matt Kuhnermann have been roped in as replacements.
Australia has been undergoing a compelling schedule in white-ball cricket, as they recently played a long series against the West Indies and immediately flew back to the island nation to host South Africa for a 3-match T20I series, followed by ODIs.
The T20 series has been exciting, with Tim David showing some great fireworks while Dewald Brevis spread his charm alone in the second T20I at Darwin, where he scored his maiden T20I century. After a win in the first game, the hosts faced a humiliating 53-run defeat in the second game, and have the third decisive match scheduled for the 16th of August.
Australian players miss out on the South Africa series due to injuries
Just before the final T20 and the ODI series, Mitchell Owen, the big-hitting all-rounder who gained fame from the Big Bash League and later Major League Cricket, has been ruled out of the final T20 fixture against South Africa. He was picked in the ODI series and will likely miss that as well.
This happened after he suffered a concussion after being struck on the helmet by Kagiso Rabada and then reported late symptoms, and hence would have to undergo a mandatory 12-day stand-down period.
On the other hand, fast bowler Lance Morris and all-rounder Matt Short will also miss the upcoming ODI series, which starts this coming Tuesday. While Morris reported back soreness, Short has failed to recover from a side strain he faced during the West Indies tour. He was initially ruled out of the first 2 T20Is and now won't be available for any matches in the series.
Replacements announced for injured Aussie players
The Aussies have made a quick decision to add replacements in the squad for the players, as Mitchell Owen, especially, has been part of every playing 11 since his debut in the West Indies.
The big, lanky all-rounder from Western Australia, Aaron Hardie, has once again made the cut as a replacement and has been drafted into the squad for the third T20 as well as the ODI series as a replacement for Matt Short.
While left-arm orthodox spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who has the experience of 4 ODI matches, has been called back into the ODI side to twin the spin attack alongside Adam Zampa.
Updated Australian Squad for ODIs
Australia will be hosting South Africa in Cairns for the final T20I match, while the city will then host the opening ODI fixture. The remaining two matches of the 50-over format will be played in Mackay.
The Aussie Squad (Updated): Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa.
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Australia National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team Australia vs South Africa Aaron Hardie Lance Morris Mitchell Owen Matt Short Matt Kuhnemann South Africa Vs Australia
