SA vs AUS: Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, Aaron Hardie Set For Australia Debut Under Mitchell Marsh Against South Africa

Australia captain Pat Cummins fractured his wrist in the final Ashes Test against England and will miss the South Africa series which will start on Wednesday (August 30th). Mitchell Marsh will be leading the Aussie squad against the Proteas.

Three debutants will also make their way into the XI to play their first match for the country. Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, and Aaron Hardie have been named in the lineup.

Spencer Johnson has impressed the most among the other debutants. Johnson has improved his bowling style and excelled in recent months in the T20 leagues in foreign soils like the USA, Canada, and the UK.

After having a successful year even after suffering from injuries in the early days of his career, Aussies expect to see him as the perfect bowler to take Mitchell Starc’s place in the coming days.

“It’s probably come a little bit quicker than expected. He went through a lot of injury stuff earlier in his career,” Travis Head said on Spencer Johnson.

Travis Head praised Johnson and said that he can bowl at high speed and swing the new ball like he did in the past tournaments.

“Someone who bowls at high speed and can swing the new ball. He’s done it over the last couple of tournaments now over the last couple of months. His body is good, he’s bowling fast, so hopefully he can be that guy for us at the top of the bowling innings, similar to someone like Starcy for us who can be a match-winner with taking wickets,” Head added.

Can Mitchell Marsh-led Australia beat Proteas in the upcoming series?

There is no doubt that Mitchell Marsh’s side will suffer at first since many first-choice players are out of the squad. However, it is expected that the Aussies will give a tough fight against the Proteas.

Mitchell Marsh-led Australia will lock horns against South Africa in the first T20I match on Wednesday (August 30th) at Kingsmead in Durban. The match will kick off at 9:30 PM IST.

Australia XI for first T20I v South Africa: Matt Short, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson