Starc, Hazlewood to miss South Africa ODI series

Duo would be stood down to allow them time to refresh ahead of Australian summer season

SYDNEY: Pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be rested for this month’s ODI series in South Africa, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Friday.

Starc and Hazlewood would be stood down to allow them time to refresh ahead of the Australian summer season, CA said.

“Mitchell and Josh have had big tours of Sri Lanka and have a heavy workload ahead of them with ten Tests to be played this (domestic) summer,” said chief selector Rod Marsh.



“As such, it is important they are managed appropriately and we believe missing the tour of South Africa is the right time for them to take a break.”

Marsh added that this would serve as a good opportunity for up-and-coming fast-bowlers to push for selection.

Marsh said that with a number of bowlers returning from injury, it was important for the national team to continue to build up a battery of quality fast-bowlers.



Earlier this week, Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile was ruled out for an indefinite spell after returning home early from the Sri Lanka ODI series with a serious back injury.

CA said Hazlewood would return home immediately from the tour of Sri Lanka and Starc would remain with the side for the remaining ODI and two T20Is against Sri Lanka.



The squad for the tour of South Africa will be named following the final ODI against Sri Lanka.

The tour consists of one ODI against Ireland and five against South Africa, with the first match to be played against Ireland on September 27.