Australia faced a double setback before the third and final ODI against South Africa, as fast bowler Nathan Ellis was sidelined due to a side strain, and left-arm spinner Joel Davies is expected to return home following a hamstring injury. During the second ODI in Johannesburg, Ellis suffered a left-side strain and bowled only four overs before leaving the field.
He did not return to finish his tenure, as South Africa went on to score 365 and clinch the three-match series 2-0. As ANI reported, Ellis is set to return to Australia for further evaluation and rehabilitation, aiming to recover in time for the home ODI series against England, scheduled to start on November 13.
Davies, who joined the squad as their second specialist spinner for the South Africa tour, did not play in any match during the trip. While fielding as a substitute in the same match in Johannesburg, he suffered a hamstring strain and will now return home to undergo rehabilitation before resuming domestic cricket with New South Wales. Australia have not announced any replacements for Ellis or Davies ahead of Wednesday’s match in Potchefstroom.
Since Ellis and Davies were unavailable, Australia entered the Potchefstroom match with four fit specialist fast bowlers. Pat Cummins is anticipated to come back after sitting out the first two ODIs, and Mitchell Starc is also expected to play, having been given a rest in those games. No decision has yet been made regarding Inglis’s availability for the Test series against South Africa, set to begin on October 9.
In addition, the Australia A squad currently on tour in India has also undergone some changes. Brendan Doggett, Fergus O’Neill, and Campbell Kellaway are heading back home to reunite with their respective teams in preparation for the Sheffield Shield season.
Sam Harper, Jhye Richardson, and Liam Hatcher are scheduled to play in the second unofficial Test against India A in Puducherry, which began on Tuesday. Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland have been included in the Australia A one-day squad for three matches starting next Tuesday, taking the places of Jack Edwards and Aaron Hardie.
