Australia's young all-rounder Mitchell Owen has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I and ODI series against South Africa. Owen was hit on the helmet by a ferocious bouncer by Kagiso Rabada in the second T20I on August 12. While he cleared the on-field concussion test, he showed delayed systems of concussion after his dismissal to Kwena Maphaka for a single-digit score.
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No replacement for Owen has been named for the T20I squad. He will be out of action for at least 12 days which is mandatory under concussion protocols. This means he won't be able to make his ODI debut in the series against South Africa starting on August 19 and ending on August 24.
Another player to get ruled out of action from the T20I squad is Matt Short who is yet to recover from the side strain. Short will miss the ODI series as well. Meanwhile, pacer Lance Morris’ return to the ODI action has been delayed as he "reported lower back soreness" as per a Cricket Australia spokesperson. He won’t be featuring in the three-ODI series against the Proteas.
Replacements for ODI series
Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and pace-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie have been named two replacements for the ODIs. Already a part of the T20I squad, they have been asked to stay for the ODIs.
The last time Kuhnemann played an ODI was in 2022 against Sri Lanka. From four ODIs, he has six wickets at an average of 31.83.
Meanwhile, Hardie played an ODI earlier this year against Sri Lanka. He did not get a chance to play a game in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. From 13 ODIs, he has 166 runs at an average of 16.60. He has 10 wickets at an average of 33.70.
Who will replace Owen in Australia’s playing XI for 3rd T20I?
Australia’s fast-bowling stocks are depleted. For the T20I series decider on August 16, it will be interesting to see who replaces Owen in the playing XI. The two options for captain Mitchell Marsh re Sean Abbott and Aaron Hardie.
Australia’s updated ODI squad for South Africa series -
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa