Vaibhav Tripathi
Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will not be part of the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa due to injuries, Cricket Australia (CA) announced.
At this stage, their participation in the World Cup is not in doubt. A left wrist tendon injury will keep Smith out about four weeks. Starc has a groin problem. Both are expected to recover for the big event in India in October-November.
Marnus Labuschagne will replace Smith for the 50-over games in South Africa. Ashton Turner will take Smith’s place in the T20I squad. Starc, who has been grappling with groin soreness after the Ashes Tests, will make way for Spencer Johnson.
In the absence of Pat Cummins, who has a fractured wrist, Mitchell Marsh will lead the ODI and T20I sides. Even if Cummins plays the ODI series, Marsh will be the captain.
“With the World Cup being the priority, 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 ODI series, plus the World Cup warm-up fixture,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
Updated 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, Adam Zampa.
Updated T20I 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, Adam Zampa.