Bad news for Australian cricket fans, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc, got injured and will miss the upcoming tour of South Africa. Smith suffered a wrist injury during the final Test against England, while Starc “Groin Soreness.”

Australia will be without two of their key players for the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa, as Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc have been ruled out due to injuries. Smith, the world’s number one ODI batter, has a tendon problem in his left wrist, while Starc, the leading wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup, suffers from groin soreness.

The good news for Australia fans is that both players are expected to recover in time for the ODI World Cup in India, which starts on October 5. Smith and Starc will join the squad in India ahead of the three-match ODI series against the hosts and a warm-up game before the World Cup.

In their absence, Mitchell Marsh will take over the captaincy duties for the T20I and ODI series in South Africa. Marsh, who was named Australia’s T20I player of the year earlier this week, has been in fine form with both bat and ball recently.

Australia have also made some changes to their squad for the South Africa tour, with Marnus Labuschagne added to the ODI squad and Ashton Turner called up for the T20I squad. Labuschagne, who made his ODI debut last year, will provide cover for Smith in the middle order, while Turner will bring his explosive hitting and off-spin to the T20I side.

Australia has also retained Spencer Johnson, the uncapped left-arm seamer, for the ODI series after initially being named only for the T20I series. Johnson, who impressed in the Big Bash League with his pace and bounce, will fill in for Starc in the pace attack.

Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said that the decision to rest Smith and Starc was taken with the World Cup in mind, as they did not want to risk aggravating their injuries. He also said the South Africa tour will allow other players to stake their claim for a World Cup spot.

The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach to the build-up to the World Cup,”

“With the World Cup the priority of the squad, it was determined on advice that it was best for Steve and Mitchell to join the group in India, by which time we expect them to be fully fit and available for the Indian ODI series, plus the World Cup warm-up fixture,”
Bailey said in the press conference

Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc are injured and will miss South Africa Tour

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