AUS vs SA 2025: Owen, Morris, Short ruled out of remainder of South Africa white-ball series

AUS vs SA 2025: Owen, Morris, Short ruled out of remainder of South Africa white-ball series. (Photo Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Ahead of the deciding T20I and the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, Australia’s three players, Mitchell Owen, Lance Morris, and Matt Short, have been ruled out due to injury concerns. The T20I series, currently level at 1-1, will see the two teams lock horns in the third and final game in Cairns on Saturday before moving to the three ODIs.

Owen suffered a concussion in the second T20I in Darwin after being hit on the helmet grille by Kagiso Rabada’s delivery. Owen initially passed an on-field concussion assessment but reported delayed symptoms after being dismissed. As per Cricket Australia’s concussion protocols, he will undergo a mandatory 12-day stand-down period, ruling him out of the remainder of the series. This also delays his much-awaited ODI debut.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Lance Morris, who was eyeing an international return, has been sidelined with lower back soreness. He has returned to Perth for further assessment, and his participation in the upcoming Australia A tour of India is still under review.

Furthermore, Matt Short continues to recover from a side strain sustained during the West Indies tour. Initially expected to return for this series, his recovery has been slower than expected, and he will now target a comeback in the domestic season.

To cover the injury gaps, Aaron Hardie and Matt Kuhnemann have been retained in the squad for the ODIs starting August 19 in Cairns, with the remaining matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24. Hardie, already part of the T20I squad, comes in for Short, while Kuhnemann will add a left-arm spin option alongside Adam Zampa. Josh Inglis, who missed the second T20I due to flu-like symptoms, remains in the squad, with Alex Carey making a return to the T20I side for the first time since 2021 during Inglis’ absence.