Injured Australian stalwarts Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will miss the limited-overs tour of South Africa however are anticipated to be match for the ODI collection in India forward of the World Cup. Australia captain Pat Cummins is recovering from a wrist fracture suffered through the Ashes in England, whereas Smith is nursing a tendon damage on his left wrist, which has sidelined him for 4 weeks, in keeping with Cricket Australia.

Both will miss the three T20Is in South Africa from August 30 to September 3, which shall be adopted by 5 ODIs from September 7-17.

The pair will return for the three-match ODI collection in opposition to India starting September 22 together with left-arm tempo bowler Mitchell Starc, who can also be not within the squad for the South Africa collection.

Starc, who performed a vital position in Australia’s 2-1 ODI collection victory in opposition to India in March, suffered “groin soreness” upon his return from the Ashes, the place he additionally suffered a shoulder damage.

Australia have included tall left-arm fast Spencer Johnson, who’s a member of the T20I facet, to their ODI squad for South Africa as properly.

“The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach in the build-up to the World Cup,” stated Australia’s chairman of the nationwide choice panel, George Bailey on Friday.

“With the World Cup (from October 5) the priority of the squad, it was determined on advice that it was best for Steve (Smith) and Mitchell (Marsh) 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,” Bailey added.

In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Marsh, who was earlier named Australia’s T20I captain for the series against South Africa, will also lead the side in the five-match ODI series.

The three ODIs against India will be played on September 22, 24 and 27 at Mohali, Indore and Rajkot respectively. They will serve as the Kangaroos’ preparation for the World Cup beginning October 5.