Australia vs South Africa cricket: Squads announced for T20 and ODI series

Jake Fraser-McGurk has been dumped from Australia’s white-ball squads as selectors anointed another rising star as the eventual successor to Glenn Maxwell’s hit man mantle.

Mitchell Owen has officially usurped Jake Fraser-McGurk as Australia’s new batting hit-man.

Selectors have unveiled their ODI and T20 squads for the upcoming series against South Africa in the Top End, with Tasmanian rising star Owen seemingly being earmarked as Glenn Maxwell’s white-ball successor.

Fraser-McGurk had been anointed as the new six-hitting sensation in Australian cricket, but he has been axed again after just one showing on the recent T20 tour of the West Indies where he made 2 opening the batting.

In contrast, 23-year-old Owen grabbed his opportunity in the West Indies by the horns, delivering in three out of his four innings in the middle-order, including a 50 on debut.

Owen has now been fast-tracked into the ODI team as well, filling the void left by Maxwell’s recent 50-over retirement.

The emergence of Owen over the past 12 months is crucial for an Australian team transitioning from a golden era ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup in 2027.

Jake Fraser-McGurk has been dropped from Australia’s T20 squad.

Mitchell Owen starred during Australia’s T20s against the West Indies.

“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.”

Fraser-McGurk isn’t the only much-hyped star to have faded, with West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly now dropped from all three formats.

Connelly opened for Australia in their last ODI but now finds himself dropped from the squad, while he has also been squeezed out of the T20 set-up as well.

Marnus Labuschagne has a chance to start his push for a Test recall in the ODI matches against the country of his birth, South Africa in the Top End starting next month.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have been put on ice in preparation for the Ashes, but Josh Hazlewood will still toil away in both white ball formats against the Proteas.

All-rounder Cameron Green will also play both the ODIs and T20s ahead of the Ashes after striking hot form in the West Indies.

In Cummins’ absence, Mitchell Marsh will captain the ODI team as well as the T20 side.

Given Australia’s Test batting struggles, Marsh is also not without hope of a Test recall against England if he can fire from all cylinders in the limited overs matches.

Australia has given a good insight into its thinking ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, with stars like Hazlewood, Travis Head, Maxwell and Josh Inglis all in the line-up to take on South Africa.

As well as losing Maxwell to retirement, this will be Australia’s first ODI series without all-time great Steve Smith – who also hung up the gloves in the 50-over format.

Labuschagne will be relied upon to fill his role as top order anchor.

Australian T20 squad: 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

Australian ODI squad: 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.

Originally published as Australia vs South Africa cricket: Squads announced for T20 and ODI series