“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.”
Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc have been dominated out of Australia’s white-ball tour of South Africa with accidents, however are anticipated to be match for the World Cup.
Cricket Australia stated star batsman Smith had a tendon difficulty in his left wrist and should put on a splint, whereas tempo spearhead Starc was combating groin soreness since getting back from the Ashes collection towards England.
They will miss the three Twenty20s and 5 one-day internationals towards South Africa from August 30-September 17.
Cautious method
Chief selector George Bailey stated they had been taking “a conservative approach” with the pair within the build-up to the ODI World Cup in India in October.
“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,” Bailey stated in an announcement late Friday.
Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs towards India earlier than the World Cup begins.
The T20 squad was already lacking heavyweights Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and David Warner, who’re all being rested after the gruelling Ashes marketing campaign.
Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins is one other absentee as he recovers from a fractured wrist. Cummins will be a part of the squad for the ODI leg in South Africa however was not assured of enjoying, Cricket Australia stated.
Ashton Turner will change Smith for the T20s and Marnus Labuschagne for the ODIs.
Starc’s absence opens the door for quickly rising fellow left-arm fast Spencer Johnson to stay with the squad for the remaining of the tour after the T20s.
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