Head, Hazlewood Return as Owen Earns ODI Call-Up for South Africa Series

Australia have named their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa in northern Australia, with several key changes as the team continues to rotate players ahead of a packed summer.

Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return to both the T20I and ODI squads after being rested for the recent series against West Indies. Also returning is Matt Short, who has recovered from a side strain that ruled him out of the T20Is in the Caribbean.

The big story is the inclusion of allrounder Mitchell Owen, who has earned his first ODI call-up after a strong debut in the T20I series. Owen impressed with 125 runs at a strike rate of 192.30, including a half-century on debut in Jamaica. His selection comes on the back of a standout domestic season, including a blistering 149 off 69 balls in the One-Day Cup for Tasmania.

Fast bowler Lance Morris has also been recalled to the ODI setup. The Western Australian quick, who has battled back injuries in the past, last played an ODI against Pakistan in November 2024. He continues to be seen as a key all-format player and is under a central contract with Cricket Australia.

Australia will be without Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, both of whom are being rested ahead of the home summer. Allrounder Mitchell Marsh will lead both squads as captain in their absence.

Among those missing from the squads that completed a 5-0 T20I whitewash over West Indies are Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett (from the T20Is). Bartlett, however, remains in the ODI squad.

Fraser-McGurk, a late inclusion for Short during the Windies tour, played only one game. Connolly struggled with the bat, and while Hardie contributed at the back end of the series, they have all missed out on selection for this tour. Spinner Tanveer Sangha, Sean Abbott, and the injured Spencer Johnson also drop out from Australia’s last ODI squad at the Champions Trophy in March.

Chair of selectors George Bailey praised the depth and versatility shown in the Caribbean, pointing to the flexibility in the batting order and the ability of bowlers to perform in varied match situations.

“As we build towards the T20 World Cup, the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive,” Bailey said. “Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts, and the work by Nathan Ellis to play all five matches, were highlights.”

The upcoming series will also be the first since the ODI retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell.

Australia’s tour of South Africa begins with three T20Is — the first two in Darwin on August 10 and 12, followed by a final match in Cairns on August 16. The ODI series kicks off in Cairns on August 19, with two further matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24.

Australia T20I Squad vs South Africa:
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

Australia ODI Squad vs South Africa:
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa