Even before the series began, Australia lost three players to injury.
Already missing several key names due to injuries and rest, Australia’s squad took another hit. From their announced ODI team for the South Africa series, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, and Lance Morris have all been ruled out.
To fill the gaps, Aaron Hardie and Matthew Kuhnemann have been added to the squad.
In the second T20 against South Africa on Tuesday, Kagiso Rabada struck Owen on the helmet. He passed the initial concussion test and continued batting, but he looked far from his usual self. The aggressive batter eventually fell for 8 off 13 balls.
Later, delayed concussion symptoms appeared, and he will now be under observation for at least 12 days. After an impressive start to his T20I career, Owen had earned his maiden ODI call-up—only to be sidelined before making his debut. He will also miss the final T20 on Saturday.
Morris hasn’t been luckier. The fast bowler, who played three ODIs last year, had fought his way back after a long injury layoff. But the 27-year-old, who has a history of back problems, is once again sidelined by the same issue and has returned to Perth for further tests, leaving his future uncertain.
Short’s absence, however, is the biggest blow. The hard-hitting batter and handy off-spinner was a key part of Australia’s plans, but the side strain that kept him out of the recent West Indies tour hasn’t fully healed.
Hardie, who replaces Owen, had performed well in two T20s on the West Indies tour before being dropped. The 26-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder has played 13 ODIs so far and could even feature in the final T20.
Kuhnemann, a left-arm spinner with four ODIs and six wickets in 2022, returns as well—signalling a potential tactical shift. Australia might pair him with Adam Zampa for a two-pronged spin attack.
The three-match ODI series begins next Tuesday in Cairns.
