Australia’s three players, Mitchell Owen, Lance Morris, and Matt Short, have been ruled out of the final T20I and the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa due to injuries. The T20I series, which is now tied at 1-1, will conclude with the third and final game in Cairns on Saturday before the three ODIs begin.

Owen sustained a concussion during the second T20I in Darwin after being hit on the helmet grille by Kagiso Rabada’s delivery. Owen initially passed an on-field concussion test but reported delayed symptoms after being ejected. According to Cricket Australia’s concussion guidelines, he will have to sit out the rest of the series for a 12-day period. This also delays his long-awaited ODI debut.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Lance Morris, who was hoping to return to the international scene, has been sidelined due to lower back pain. He has returned to Perth for additional assessment, and his participation in the upcoming Australia A tour of India is still being considered.

Furthermore, Matt Short continues to recover from a side strain sustained during the West Indies tour.

Initially expected to return for this series, his recovery has been slower than expected, and he will now target a comeback in the domestic season.

To cover the injury gaps, Aaron Hardie and Matt Kuhnemann have been retained in the squad for the ODIs starting August 19 in Cairns, with the remaining matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24. Hardie, already part of the T20I squad, comes in for Short, while Kuhnemann will add a left-arm spin option alongside Adam Zampa. Josh Inglis, who missed the second T20I due to flu-like symptoms, remains in the squad, with Alex Carey making a return to the T20I side for the first time since 2021 during Inglis’ absence.