Australia have announced their white-ball squads for next month’s series against South Africa in northern Australia, with rising all-rounder Mitchell Owen earning his maiden ODI call-up and fast bowler Lance Morris returning to the 50-over setup.
Owen impressed during the recent T20I series against the West Indies, where he scored 125 runs at a strike rate of 192.30, including a debut half-century in Jamaica. His inclusion Mitchell Owen in the ODI squad follows a standout domestic season where he smashed 149 off 69 balls for Tasmania in the One-Day Cup.
Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return to both squads after being rested for the West Indies series, while Matt Short also rejoins the group following recovery from a side strain. Mitchell Marsh will lead the team in both formats with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc continuing to rest ahead of the home summer.
Lance Morris, who last featured in an ODI against Pakistan in November 2024, is back in the side and adds raw pace to the bowling unit. The Western Australia quick has been carefully managed due to back injuries but remains a key part of Australia’s all-format plans.
From the squad that whitewashed West Indies 5-0, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, and Xavier Bartlett miss out on T20I selection. However, Bartlett has been included in the ODI squad. Fraser-McGurk and Connolly had limited opportunities, while Hardie played a key role in finishing the final match of the series.
Marnus Labuschagne retains his ODI spot despite being dropped from the Test squad earlier this year. His experience will be crucial following the retirements of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell from the 50-over format.
Chair of selectors George Bailey praised the squad’s depth and adaptability. “The flexibility within the batting order and the ability of bowlers to operate in different phases were particularly pleasing,” he said. “The emergence of players like Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann, and Nathan Ellis’s ability to play all five T20Is, were major positives.”
The five-match white-ball series begins with T20Is on August 10 and 12 in Darwin, followed by the final T20I in Cairns on August 16. The ODI series begins in Cairns on August 19, before moving to Mackay for the last two games 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