Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc to skip Australia's tour of South Africa, likely to play India ODIs ahead of World Cup

Sydney: Injured Australian stalwarts Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will miss the limited-overs tour of South Africa but are expected to be fit for the ODI series in India ahead of the World Cup. Australia captain Pat Cummins is recovering from a wrist fracture suffered during the Ashes in England, while Smith is nursing a tendon injury on his left wrist, which has sidelined him for four weeks, according to Cricket Australia. Both will miss the three T20Is in South Africa from 30 August to 3 September, which will be followed by five ODIs from 7-17 September. The pair will return for the three-match ODI series against India beginning 22 September along with left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who is also not in the squad for the South Africa series. Starc, who played a crucial role in Australia’s 2-1 ODI series victory against India in March, suffered “groin soreness” upon his return from the Ashes, where he also suffered a shoulder injury. Australia have included tall left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, who is a member of the T20I side, to their ODI squad for South Africa as well. “The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach in the build-up to the World Cup,” said Australia’s chairman of the national selection panel, George Bailey on Friday. “With the World Cup (from 5 October) 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 added. In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Marsh, who was earlier named Australia’s T20I captain for the series against South Africa, will also lead the side in the five-match ODI series. The three ODIs against India will be played on 22, 24 and 27 September at Mohali, Indore and Rajkot respectively. They will serve as the Kangaroos’ preparation for the World Cup beginning 5 October.