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Superstar Australian batter Steve Smith was on August 18 (Friday) ruled out from the Baggy Greens' upcoming white-ball series against South Africa. Smith was named in both T20I and ODI squads for the Proteas tour but the phenomenal right-handed batter will now remain in Australia and recover from a wrist injury he sustained during the Ashes series against England. Apart from Smith, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has also been ruled out from the ODI series against the Proteas. The veteran fast bowler will remain in Australia and recover from a groin injury he picked up in the Ashes series.
Ashton Turner will replace Smith in the T20I squad for the South Africa series while Marnus Labuschagne has been named as Smith's replacement for the ODI series. Uncapped Spencer Johnson has been named as Starc's replacement for the ODIs. Both Smith and Starc will be part of the Australian side for the three-match ODI series against India in September.
"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," national selection panel chair George Bailey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"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," Bailey added.
Earlier, captain Pat Cummins was ruled out of the ODI series against South Africa. The Aussie skipper will also return to action against the series against India.
Australia T20I squad for South Africa series: 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, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa
Australia ODI squad for South Africa series: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, 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
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