Australia T20, ODI squads for South Africa series announced; veterans OUT

Australia have named their ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming limited-overs series against South Africa, which is scheduled to begin on August 10. Notably, veteran cricketers Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood have made their return to the white-ball squads ahead of the start of their home summer.

Jake Fraser-McGurk has been left out of the white-ball squads following underwhelming performances. He has scored only 115 runs in 8 T20Is at an average of 14.37. His ODI record has also been disappointing, with just 98 runs from 7 matches at an average of 14, prompting selectors to exclude him.

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Australia are set to face South Africa in a six-match white-ball series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs. Mitchell Marsh will lead both squads, with Pat Cummins rested for the series.

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The selectors have also shown faith in Mitch Owen, who has been named in both the T20I and ODI squads following an impressive start to his international career. The 23-year-old was part of Australia’s 5-0 T20I sweep of the West Indies in the Caribbean.

Owen scored 125 runs at a strike rate of 192.30 and picked up two wickets. Yet to make his ODI debut, he is the only uncapped player included across the two 14-member squads. Australia are focused on building towards the 2026 T20 World Cup.

We Feel the Entire Group Embraced Every Opportunity - George Bailey

Chair of Selectors George Bailey said that some players were left out of the squad due to a smaller group being selected and the returns of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood. However, he emphasised that those players remain very much in contention for future selections.

"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," Bailey said.

"We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer."

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc Rested Ahead of the Australian Summer

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been rested ahead of the home summer. All-rounder Matt Short has returned to Australia's white-ball squads after recovering from a minor side strain and will be available for both ODIs and T20Is.

Cameron Green has been recalled to the ODI setup. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell recently announced their retirements from ODIs. Maxwell is part of the T20I squad. Marnus Labuschagne retains his place in the 50-over format.

Sean Abbott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly, and Aaron Hardie have not been considered for the ODI squad. In the T20I squad, Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett have not been included.

T20 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

Also read: Arshdeep Singh confirmed to make Test debut for India at The Oval