Owen, Morris, Short Ruled Out of South Africa ODIs; Hardie, Connolly, Kuhnemann Called Up
Australia have been forced into a late reshuffle of their ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, with Mitchell Owen, Lance Morris, and Matt Short all ruled out due to injury. Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, and Matt Kuhnemann have been called in as replacements ahead of the three-match series, which begins on August 19.
Owen was struck on the helmet grille by a short ball from Kagiso Rabada during the second T20I in Darwin. Though he initially passed an on-field concussion assessment, he later reported delayed symptoms and has since been diagnosed with a concussion. As a result, the allrounder will enter a mandatory 12-day stand-down period and will miss the chance to make his ODI debut.
Lance Morris’ return to international cricket has also been delayed, with the fast bowler reporting back soreness during preparations for the series. Given his history of back issues, Morris has returned to Perth for further assessment. His fitness for the upcoming four-day Australia A tour of India is now in doubt.
Matt Short, meanwhile, continues to be sidelined by a side strain sustained during the recent West Indies series. Initially ruled out of the first two T20Is, he has now been withdrawn from the remainder of the South Africa tour, extending a frustrating run of injuries that includes a quad strain suffered during the Champions Trophy earlier this year.
In response, selectors have drafted in Western Australia allrounder Aaron Hardie, who was already covering for Short in the T20I squad, alongside young left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and left-handed allrounder Cooper Connolly. Kuhnemann brings prior international experience, having featured in four ODIs in 2022, and may form a two-pronged spin attack with Adam Zampa.
Connolly, who played in Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final against India earlier this year, continues to rise through the ranks with his dual skill set as a middle-order batter and left-arm spinner.
The changes come ahead of the final T20I in Cairns on Saturday, with the three-match ODI series to follow — starting in Cairns on August 19 before moving to Mackay for games on August 22 and 24.
Australia will also monitor the health of Josh Inglis, who missed the second T20I due to "flu-like" symptoms. Alex Carey was called into the squad and played his first T20I since 2021.
Updated Australia ODI Squad vs South Africa
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa
South Africa levelled the T20I series with a 53-run win in Darwin. The series decider takes place in Cairns this Saturday.