Injuries force Australia to call up replacements for SA white-ball

Australia’s white-ball campaign against South Africa has been forced onto the back foot by a spate of injuries, with Mitch Owen ruled out of the final T20 and the ensuing ODI series, Matt Short sidelined by a side strain, and Lance Morris unable to take part due to back soreness. The trio’s absence has prompted selectors to call in Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly and left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann to bolster a squad already juggling a tight schedule that follows a recent series with the West Indies. The ODI series is set to begin in Cairns on August 19, with two further fixtures in Mackay, while the deciding T20I is in Darwin.

Owen’s setback comes after a bouncer from South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada struck the helmet grille, causing delayed concussion symptoms that triggered Cricket Australia’s 12-day stand-down protocol. Although he initially passed an on-field assessment, Owen’s admission of postponed symptoms forced his withdrawal from the final T20I and all three ODIs. The 23-year-old had quickly established himself as a Seeable impact player since his West Indies debut and had been in line for an ODI debut before the injury. His absence increases the pressure on Australia to...