Australia is set to announce a handful of shock bolters for the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa, with Spencer Johnson and Aaron Hardie reportedly poised for a maiden national call-up.
Ahead of this year’s World Cup in India, Australia will play three T20s and five ODIs against the Proteas in South Africa, commencing on August 30.
According to News Corp, Mitchell Marsh will be named captain for the T20 matches, becoming the 12th men’s player to lead Australia in the game’s shorted format. The West Australian could potentially take charge of the ODI side in South Africa as well if incumbent captain Pat Cummins doesn’t recover from the wrist injury he sustained during the Ashes.
Meanwhile, several other multi-format players are expected to be rested for the South Africa tour after the recent Ashes campaign.
According to SEN.com.au, Johnson will be one the surprise names included in T20 squad for the South Africa tour. The 27-year-old, who has only played four first-class games, burst onto the scene last summer with a breakout campaign at the Brisbane Heat.
The left-armer could serve as a like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Starc, who is nursing a shoulder injury he sustained during the Manchester Ashes Test.
West Australian all-rounder Hardie is also firming for a maiden national call-up after another successful BBL campaign with the Perth Scorchers, CODE Sports reports.
Cricket Australia decided not to release the 24-year-old for The Hundred in England as part of a workload management plan, according to the News Corp report.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that New South Wales leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, who missed the entirety of last summer with a back injury, will also join the touring party to South Africa.
The 21-year-old was previously picked in Australia’s squad for a T20 tour to New Zealand in 2021, but is yet to make his international debut.
READ MORE
WINDIES VS INDIA: Cricket powerhouse toppled again
‘LUDICROUS’: Fresh twist as ball claim rejected
World Cup squads must be announced before September 28, meaning next month’s ODI series against South Africa serves as crucial preparation for the Australians.
Australia will also play a trio of ODIs against India in late September before their World Cup campaign gets underway on October 8.
Australia’s white-ball tour of South Africa
August 30 – First T20I, Durban
September 1 – Second T20I, Durban
September 3 – Third T20I, Durban
September 7 – First ODI, Bloemfontein
September 9 – Second ODI, Bloemfontein
September 12 – Third ODI, Potchefstroom
September 15 – Fourth ODI, Centurion
