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Steve Smith Ruled Out Of South Africa Tour; Marsh To Lead AUS In ODIs

image-llgc9zaySteve Smith and Mitchell Starc [Image Credit- Twitter]

In the latest development, the Australian Cricket Team will be without the services of star batter Steven Smith and champion pacer Mitchell Starc during their upcoming tour of South Africa as the duo continues to recover from their respective injuries.

Smith is yet to recover from the injury in his left wrist, which he is said to have sustained during the recent Ashes series in the United Kingdom. The former captain is currently wearing a splint to aid his recovery.

The right-handed batsman was supposed to open in the T20I series, but his unavailability has now opened the doors for Ashton Turner. With ODI skipper Pat Cummins also not available for the series, newly-crowned T20I captain Mitchell Marsh will lead the Aussies in the T20I as well as ODI series.

Marnus Labuschagne, who was recently dumped out of the ODI set-up, gets another opportunity to reprieve his career in this format as he will take the place of Smith in the 5-match series against the South Africans. Starc, meanwhile, is still recovering from groin soreness. 

However, the duo is expected to return to the Aussie squad for the ODI series in India and the World Cup. 

In addition to the aforementioned duo, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will also miss the ODI series as he will leave for Australia following the culmination of the T20I rubber to attend the birth of his child.

Speaking to the media, chief selector George Bailey admitted that given the recent workload on the all-format players, the management and the selection committee is taking a cautious approach in order to ensure that they are fit and available for the marquee event later this year.

"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. 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," said George Bailey as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

The Australian tour of South Africa will kickstart with a three-match T20I series from August 30. It will be proceeded by a 5-match ODI rubber where both sides will look to tighten the bolts of their squad ahead of the WC.

Following this tour, Australia will play three ODIs in India, where the duo of Smith and Starc will most likely be available.