Australia’s top batsman, Steve Smith, and their key left-arm pace bowler, Mitchell Starc, will miss the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa due to wrist and groin injuries, respectively. However, there’s optimism that both players will recover in time for the eagerly anticipated World Cup in 2023.
As to a report on cricket.com.au, while the two won’t be able to make it for the South Africa tour, there’s anticipation that they’ll be fully healthy and ready for the Men’s ODI World Cup in India, slated from October 5 to November 19. Consequently, Mitchell Marsh will step in as the captain for Australia in both white-ball formats during the South Africa tour.
Due to Starc’s absence, the brilliant yet uncapped left-arm fast bowler, Spencer Johnson, will continue to be part of the ODI phase of the tour, since he was first chosen in the T20I team. Smith’s unavailability has caused the inclusion of Marnus Labuschagne in the ODI squad, and Ashton Turner will take his position in the T20I team.
It has come to light that Steve Smith is struggling with a tendon issue in his left wrist, which will keep him out of play for around another four weeks. The source further explained that Starc has been dealing with “groin soreness” since his return from England, when he participated in the WTC final and featured in four out of the five Ashes Tests.
Importantly, the source highlighted that Starc’s current absence from the South Africa trip isn’t tied to the shoulder injury he suffered towards the latter half of that last tour.
“The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach to the build-up to the World Cup.” said the report on Friday.
“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,” chief selector George Bailey was quoted as saying in the report.
In addition, Cricket Australia announced that Michael di Venuto will take on the role of head coach for the T20 segment of the South Africa tour. He will be supported by the former Australian fast bowler Clint McKay and Dan Marsh, who serves as an assistant to the Australian women’s cricket team.
Australia T20I squad for South Africa tour:
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, Adam Zampa
Australia ODI squad for South Africa tour:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, 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
