Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood have returned to the limited-overs squads for the home series against South Africa, which kicks off the Australian summer. Both Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood were rested for the recently-concluded 5-match T20I series in West Indies which Australia won 5-0.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were given a breather against West Indies, and they continue to be rested ahead of a busy home season. With Cummins resting, Mitchell Marsh will lead the ODI side against South Africa. Australia has made sure that Pat Cummins is getting ample rest ahead of the bumper & much-anticipated Ashes 2025-26.
Marnus Labuschagne gets another go in the ODI squad
Following the retirement of Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith from ODIs, there were a lot of vacancies that popped up in the middle order in the ODI squad, and so the selectors have handed a maiden call-up to Mitchell Owen in ODIs, and Cameron Green, who recently made a comeback, comes back in as well. Despite being dropped from Tests, Marnus Labuschagne managed to retain his place in the ODI squad. Matthew Short, who had a minor side strain, has recovered and is picked in both squads.
The likes of Sean Abbott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly, and Aaron Hardie have not been picked in the ODI squad following the return of Xavier Bartlett and Lance Morris. The selectors reduced the squad size to 14, so as a result, Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, Connolly, and Bartlett were left out to make way for Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood.
George Bailey opines on the team selection.
Speaking to reporters after selecting the squads, Chair of Selectors said,
“The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, sees some players not part of the squad for this Top End Series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we fee the entire group embraced every opportunity,”
“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,” he added.
T20 and ODI squads
The Australian T20 and ODI squad has been announced and it is as follows:
T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
AUS vs SA: Interesting Series on the Cards?
An interesting series is on the cards between Australia and South Africa, with the series starting on August 10th where the opening two T20Is are scheduled in Darwin before the final T20I and the first ODI is played in Cairns. The last two ODIs are in Mackay. It will be an interesting series as Australia have recalled Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood to the squad while retaining the core of the squad that played in West Indies.
The T20s will be more important for the preparation of both teams with the T20 World Cup a few months away. Even the ODIs will be looked at with seriousness with the World Cup being 2 years away in 2027. We have to see how Travis Head and Hazlewood go about and how Cameron Green can be consistent as well. Glenn Maxwell is unpredictable while Mitchell Owen will be under the spotlight again in ODIs.
South Africa have also called their main team back after going with youngsters in the recently concluded Zim Tri Series. Aiden Markram will lead the South African side in T20Is while Temba Bavuma will lead the side in ODIs. The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs all return to the side and will bolster the Proteas ahead of this tough challenge against the Aussies. An interesting aspect to see is that Rassie van der Dussen is in the T20I squad but does not find a place in ODIs. All eyes will be on Keshav Maharaj when the ODI leg gets underway as well.
So, the stage is set for August 10th when the series gets underway in Darwin and will be a closely contested one with no one really giving an inch. Expect a riveting battle between bat and ball when the series gets underway. Australia playing at home will start as slight favourites, but cannot count out South Africa at all.
Also Read: AUS vs SA : Glenn Maxwell Retires From ODIs; Expresses Desire To Play T20Is