Australia announce squad for South Africa ODIs

World Champions picked three new comers for the six-match series starting from September 30

SYDNEY: World champions Australia picked three newcomers on Monday to cover the absence of fast bowling spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for their ODI series against South Africa later this month.

Selectors included Victorian Chris Tremain, South Australians Joe Mennie and Daniel Worrall in a 15-man squad after deciding to rest Starc and Hazlewood after the recent Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Starc and Hazlewood have been given time off to refresh ahead of the Australian summer season, while Usman Khawaja, Moises Henriques and Nathan Lyon were left out of the South Africa-bound squad. "Chris, Joe and Daniel all had terrific summers last year and have also impressed us during the recent Australia A series with consistent performances," chief selector Rod Marsh said. "They are young players with a bright future who thoroughly deserve their selection.

"We look forward to seeing them work with John Hastings and Scott Boland, who have both performed well for Australia since returning from injury."

Captain Steve Smith, who was rested from the Sri Lanka tour after the second of five ODIs, returns to lead the side in South Africa.

The tour comprises six ODIs with the first against Ireland on September 27 followed by five against South Africa beginning on September 30.

Squad:

Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.

Lynn, Finch to miss Sri Lanka T20 series

Middle-order batsman Chris Lynn will return home and miss Australia's two T20 internationals against Sri Lanka after suffering a shoulder injury in training, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

Lynn missed Sunday's five-wicket win in the fifth ODI against the Sri Lankans in Pallekele after dislocating his shoulder during a fielding drill in the warm-up. "Consequently, he will be unavailable for the remaining matches and instead will return to Brisbane to undergo further investigation to determine the full extent of the injury," team physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement.

Opener Aaron Finch also injured a finger while fielding during the final ODI and will miss the two remaining T20 games, but will stay with the squad to assist with 12th man duties. "Aaron was hit on the right index finger when fielding a ball and x-rays have shown a fracture which means he will not be available for the remaining two T20 International matches," said Beakley.

Selectors confirmed Matthew Wade will stay on in Sri Lanka to replace Lynn for the two matches and George Bailey will remain for the first T20 international before heading home. The T20 series starts on Tuesday in Kandy.