Australia announce squads for South Africa series, drop 4 players from T20I side that blanked West Indies 5-0

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Australia announce squads for South Africa series, drop 4 players from T20I side that blanked West Indies 5-0
Australia's players celebrate with the trophy at the end of the fifth and final T20I against West Indies at Warner Park Sporting Complex in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, on July 28, 2025.

Story Highlights:

Mitch Owen has earned his maiden ODI call-up.

Lance Morris has returned to ODI squad.

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc won't feature in South Africa series.

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced their squads for the ODI and T20I series at home against South Africa starting August 10. After proving his mettle in the T20I series against West Indies, young all-rounder Mitchell Owen has earned his maiden ODI call-up. 

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Marsh to lead in ODIs

Australia named 14-member squads for ODI and T20I series. In the absence of captain Pat Cummins and left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh will lead the ODI team as well. Cummins and Starc have been rested keeping their workload in mind, especially with Ashes at home later this year.

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Players returning to squad

Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood have returned to the squad along with Matt Short who was ruled out of West Indies T20I series due to a side injury during Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 campaign. Fast bowler Lance Morris has been recalled to the ODI side. His last ODI appearance was against Pakistan in November 2024.

"The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity," Bailey said.

 

 

"We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer."

 

 

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Players dropped from ODI and T20I squads

Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha did not find a place in the ODI squad. This will be Australia's first ODI series since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal defeat to India. Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, Connolly did not find a place in the T20I side as well. Xavier Bartlett was dropped too.

"As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive," chief selector George Bailey said. "The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see.

 

 

 

"Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights."

 

 

Australia T20I squad vs South Africa

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.

Australia ODI squad vs South Africa

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.

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