Delhi: Australia has suffered a major setback before the third T20 and ODI series against South Africa. All -rounder Mitchell Owen is out of the rest of the tour due to head injury. In the second T20, Kagiso Rabada’s ball was hit on his helmet. His injury was found serious in medical examination, due to which he would have to stay away from cricket for about 12 days. Due to this, Owen lost the opportunity to debut in the ODI series.

Owen has played 7 T20 international matches for Australia so far, in which he has scored 135 runs and took 2 wickets.

Lance Morris and Matt Short also out

Fast bowler Lance Morris is battling back pain and will not be able to participate in the ODI series. Because of this, he can also be out of the Australia ‘A’ tour to be held in India. At the same time, Matt Short has not fully recovered from the injury during the West Indies tour. This is the reason that he did not play in the first two T20 matches against South Africa. Now he has also been dropped from the third T20 and ODI series. Since the injury during the Champions Trophy, the short has not been able to achieve complete fitness yet.

New faces in team

Cricket Australia has included Aaron Hardy and Matt Kuhneman in the team in place of Engineed players. Hardy is already present as a short cover in the T20 series. Left -arm spinner Kuhneman played 4 ODIs in 2022 and this time he will strengthen the spin attack with Adam Jampa.

Change in wicketkeeping

Wicketkeeper Josh England was out of the second T20 due to the flu. Alex Carrie was replaced in his team, who played his first T20 after 2021.

Series program

The three-match T20 series between Australia and South Africa is on par. The third and deciding T20 will be played on Saturday. After this, the ODI series will be held on August 19, 22 and 24.