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‘Ruled out nahi hai plan hai’ – Fans react as Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith ruled out of Australia’s upcoming white-ball series against South Africa

The duo are expected to be fit in time for the three-match ODI series against India in September and the following ODI World Cup, which starts on October 5.
Aug 18, 2023 2:55 pm
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc (Source: Twitter)

Australia will be without the services of veterans Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith for the upcoming tour of South Africa as both have been ruled out due to injury. Confirming the development on Friday, August 18, Cricket Australia added that the duo are expected to be fit in time for the three-match ODI series against India in September and the following ODI World Cup, which starts on October 5.

Smith reportedly suffered a tendon injury in his left wrist while Sarc has been experiencing groin pain since his return from England after playing four consecutive Ashes Tests. Smith was in line to make his debut as an opener in T20 internationals thanks to his exploits at the top order for the Sydney Sixers in the 2022-23 Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, Ashton Turner will now replace Smith in the T20I squad against South Africa.

“The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach to the build-up to the World Cup, said national selection panel chair George Bailey.

“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 by which time we expect them to be fully fit and available for the Indian ODI series, plus the World Cup warm-up fixture,” he added.

Meanwhile, his absence from the ODI series will provide an opportunity for Marnus Labuschagne to join the squad. Labuschagne was dropped from Australia’s preliminary 18-man squad for the ODI World Cup and could be in the mix for the marquee event if he can impress the selectors with a good performance against the Proteas.

Spencer Johnson will replace Starc, who injured his shoulder while fielding during the fourth Ashes Test, in the ODI squad and is set to make his international debut in both white-ball formats. With Pat Cummins also ruled out of the five-match ODI series with a wrist injury, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will lead the team in both series, which starts on August 30.

Updated Australia squad for the white-ball series against South Africa

T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, and Adam Zampa.

ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, and Adam Zampa.

Here’s how fans reacted to Mitchell Starc and Steven Smith being ruled out of the South African tour: 

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