Bolter Spencer Johnson has been selected for the upcoming limited Australian tour of South Africa – as Mitchell Marsh is named T20 captain and Marnus Labuschagne is a shocking omission from the tour.
The versatile Marsh starred in Australia’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2021 and then reclaimed his Test spot with excellent play in the recent Ashes series.
Now, the 31-year-old will lead a side with Steve Smith in three T20 games against the Proteas, while a host of regulars rest up ahead of October’s ODI World Cup in India.
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green and David Warner will miss the T20 series, while Ashton Agar will rehabilitate from a calf injury.
All joining the one-day leg of the South African tour, Cummins is expected to be fit after fracturing his non-bowling wrist on the first day of the final Test against England.
Spencer Johnson has been selected for the upcoming limited tour of South Africa despite being completely unknown to most cricket fans
Mitchell Marsh’s career resurgence will reach new heights as he leads the Twenty20 team
Glenn Maxwell (family leave) will join the team in India for a three-game series before the World Cup.
Versatile Aaron Hardie, left-arm pacemaker Spencer Johnson and top batsman Matt Short have been included for potential international debuts at T20.
Johnson has only played a handful of top class games but is highly rated and has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past 12 months.
Tanveer Sangha, Nathan Ellis and Hardie have been included in an 18-man ODI squad which will be reduced to 15 at the start of September and finalized on September 28.
Labuschagne is the main omission as Australia seek to reclaim the ODI World Cup from England, paying the price after going over 50 just three times in 16 innings since being called out from midfield in March of the year. ‘last year.
“Mitch has long been a senior player within the white ball structure, which has given him the opportunity to add to his leadership skills at international level,” coach chairman George Bailey said in a statement.
“Aaron, Spencer and Matt have been outstanding in the BBL and identified as potential National players of the future.
“Aaron has impressed in his recent outings for Australia A as well as the Scorchers, while Matt has flourished with added responsibility at the top of the Strikers order.
Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of the squad after spotty form
Cummins should be fit after fracturing non-bowling wrist in final test
“Spencer’s left arm pace and rebound was very effective in his first season for the Heat.
“This trip will be a fantastic experience for all three and the chance to play their first matches for their country.”
Bailey said Cummins’ “enforced rest” was positive ahead of the World Cup opener against the hosts on October 8.
“Pat injured his left wrist while diving on the pitch on the first day at The Oval,” Bailey said.
“He has a non-displaced fracture of the left radius which requires six weeks of rehabilitation.
“We expect him to join the team in the South African ODI series.
“There are still a number of games he could play before the World Cup, which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation.”
T20 TEAM: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
ODI SQUAD: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc , Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
T20s vs South Africa: August 31, September 2 and 3. ODIs v South Africa: September 7, 9, 12, 15 and 17. ODIs vs India: September 22, 24, 27.