Australia have been forced into reshuffling their squad ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, with three players ruled out due to injury. Batter Matt Short (side strain), all-rounder Mitchell Owen (concussion) and pacer Lance Morris (back) will miss the series, which begins in Cairns on August 19. Short is yet to recover from an injury sustained during training in the recent West Indies white-ball tour, while Morris has been sent back to Perth for further assessment after reporting back soreness. Owen suffered a blow to the helmet during the second T20I against South Africa and later developed delayed concussion symptoms. He will miss the final T20I and the entire ODI series under Cricket Australia’s 12-day concussion protocols. Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and fast bowler Aaron Hardie have been named as replacements. Both were already in Queensland as part of the T20I squad, which is currently locked at 1-1 in the series.
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The ODI series will open in Cairns before moving to Mackay for matches on August 22 and 24.In the most recent meeting between the two sides, South Africa produced a dominant display in Darwin to level the T20I series 1-1, ending Australia’s nine-match winning streak in the format. The visitors outplayed the hosts in all departments, handing Australia their second-biggest T20I defeat at home in terms of runs. The 53-run victory was also South Africa’s biggest win by runs against Australia, as the home side were bowled out for 165. The series decider will be played on August 16.Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa.
