Steve Smith, Starc ruled out of South Africa tour due to injury, eye comeback in ODI series against India

Injured Australian stalwarts Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will miss the limited-overs tour of South Africa however are anticipated to be match for the ODI collection in India forward of the World Cup.

Australia captain Pat Cummins is recovering from a wrist fracture suffered throughout the Ashes in England, whereas Smith is nursing a tendon damage on his left wrist, which has sidelined him for 4 weeks, in line with Cricket Australia.

Both will miss the three T20Is in South Africa from August 30 to September 3, which can be adopted by 5 ODIs from September 7 to 17.

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The pair will return for the three-match ODI collection in opposition to India starting on September 22 together with left-arm tempo bowler Starc, who can also be not within the squad for the South Africa collection.

Starc, who performed an important function in Australia’s 2-1 ODI collection victory in opposition to India in March, suffered “groin soreness” upon his return from the Ashes, the place he additionally suffered a shoulder damage.

Australia has included tall left-arm fast Spencer Johnson, who’s a member of the T20I aspect, to its ODI squad for South Africa as nicely.

“The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach in the build-up to the World Cup,” mentioned Australia’s chairman of the nationwide choice panel, George Bailey on Friday.

“With the World Cup (from October 5) the priority of the squad, it was determined on advice that it was best for Steve (Smith) and Mitchell (Marsh) 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,” Bailey added.

In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Marsh, who was earlier named Australia’s T20I captain for the collection in opposition to South Africa, can even lead the aspect within the five-match ODI collection.

The three ODIs in opposition to India can be performed on September 22, 24 and 27 at Mohali, Indore and Rajkot, respectively. They will function the Kangaroos’ preparation for the World Cup starting October 5.