SADC region gearing up to host 45th ordinary summit heads of state
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is getting ready to host its 45th ordinary summit heads of state and government this month in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The pair, along with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, were rested for the recent five-match T20I series against West Indies in the Caribbean which the Australians won 5-0.
Cummins and Starc will also sit out both while-ball series against the Proteas as they continue to rest ahead of the home summer with Mitchell Marsh assuming the ODI captaincy.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey said: "The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity.
"We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer."
Mitchell Owen has earned his first ODI call-up after an impressive start to his T20 international career in the Caribbean that saw him hit 125 runs at a strike-rate of 192.30, including a fifty on debut.
From the squad that completed the clean sweep of West Indies, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett won't feature in the T20Is against South Africa.
Bailey added: "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.
"The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see.
"Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights."
The home series against the Proteas starts with the first two T20Is in Darwin on August 10 and 12 before the final match of the series is played in Cairns on August 16 where the first ODI will also be played on August 19.
The 50-over series then concludes with two matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24.
Australia T20I squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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: Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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
Issued on SABC Sport | https://www.sabcsport.com/cricket/news/experienced-duo-returns-as-australia-name-squads-for-home-series-against-south-africa
