Australia announce India-bound all-rounder as injured pacer's replacement for ODI series vs South Africa

Cricket Australia (CA) on September 21 added Jack Edwards to their ODI squad for three-ODI series against South Africa. Edwards has been pulled out of India A's tour of Australia A ahead of the four-day series as Billy Stanlake has been ruled out of South Africa tour due to an injury.

Also, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson has been released from the squad considering his workload. Johnson has been given a break ahead of Australia A’s One-Day series against India A. 

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Edwards is yet to make his ODI debut but it is not his maiden ODI call-up. He was in Australia's ODI squad against India in the previous season. Cameron Green is in the squad after missing the Zimbabwe series due to a shoulder issue. Green may not play the entire South Africa ODI series with focus mainly on Tests which can present an opportunity for Edwards to showcase his talent. 

The first of the three-ODI series will begin on September 24 at Kingsmead, Durban. 

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Edwards had made his T20I debut earlier this year against Pakistan where he scored just five runs and remained wicketless in two overs. He has been on T20 franchises’ radar as well. He was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) but could not make his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut to injury. 

Edwards’ One-Day record

Edwards is a 26-year-old all-rounder with 36 List A (One-Day) games' experience. He has scored 882 runs from 33 innings, averaging 27.56, including two tons and five fifties. With the ball, he has 24 wickets in the One-Day format featuring two four-wicket hauls.

Australia’s updated ODI squad vs South Africa

Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Oliver Peake, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett, Pat Cummins, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Jack Edwards.

Who will replace Jack Edwards on India tour?

Meanwhile, Australia A have confirmed their playing eleven for the first of the four-day games on India tour. They will take on Devdutt Padikkal-led India A side starting September 22 in Puducherry. Liam Scott will bat at no.7 taking Edwards’ place. But, Cricket Australia are yet to announce Edwards’ replacement for the tour. 

Australia A Playing XI vs India A - 

Sam Konstas, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Peter Handscomb (c), Jason Sangha, Josh Philippe (wk), Liam Scott, Fergus O’Neill, Todd Murphy, Corey Rocchiccioli, Brendan Doggett.