Australia Reveal ODI and T20I Teams for South Africa Series

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-07-30 12:32:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-07-31 02:48:43

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Australia has named their squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against South Africa, with Mitchell Owen earning an ODI call-up following his impressive performances in the T20I series against the West Indies.

The 19-year-old all-rounder caught the eye of selectors with his useful knocks and tidy bowling in the Caribbean, and he will now get the chance to showcase his talents in 50-over cricket.

Owen, who has featured in just six T20Is, is part of a much-changed ODI squad from the one that lost the series against the West Indies. Aaron Finch, who scored a hundred in the second ODI against the West Indies, will lead the side once again, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins providing pace options.

Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are the designated spinners, while Ben Simmons, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell offer more variety with the bat.

Marcus Stoinis, who suffered a side strain during the first ODI against the West Indies, is expected to be fit for the series against South Africa, while Daniel Sams and Sean Abbott are also in the squad.

Travis Head, who missed the last two ODIs against the West Indies due to a calf injury, is back in the mix, with Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, and Mitchell Swepson also included.

"He (Owen) was obviously in the squad for the T20 series against the West Indies and played a couple of those matches," national selector George Bailey said of Owen.

"But he has been in and around the squad for a while now. He is a good bowler and a handy batter, and he is a good fielder. So, there is a lot to like about Mitchell Owen. "He is a young guy who is continually improving, and he is at a stage where he is ready to hopefully get an opportunity in ODI cricket."

The selectors have stuck with a similar group of players in the T20I squad, with Owen's promotion to the ODI squad seeing him miss out on selection for the shortest format.

The first ODI will be played in Pretoria on February 27, followed by two matches in Johannesburg on March 3 and 5. The T20I series will begin on March 9 in Cape Town, with further matches scheduled for March 12 and 14 in Paarl.

Australia will be hoping to regain some confidence after a disappointing T20 World Cup and an uninspiring performance in the recent ODI series against the West Indies.

The teams will be keen to put recent off-field controversies behind them and focus on the pitch, with both South Africa and Australia having key players in the crosshairs of the ICC's disciplinary committee.

South Africa captain Quinton de Kock will miss the first ODI due to a disciplinary issue, while David Warner remains a doubtful starter for Australia's ODI series due to a knee injury he sustained in the latter stages of the T20 World Cup.

"Any time you are playing South Africa, it is going to be a bloody contest, whether it is a T20 or an ODI or a Test match," Bailey said.

"They are a hugely talented team with great individual players, and they have a really good balance to their side. They have some dangerous bowlers and some really experienced batters, so it is going to be a tough series."

The upcoming bilateral series between the two sides generates interest beyond the pitch, with both South Africa and Australia being co-finalists to host the 2027 ICC World Cup.

The winner of the bid will be announced by the ICC on February 28, the day after the first ODI is played.

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