Melbourne, August 14 (HS): Australia’s rising all‑rounder Mitchell Owen has suffered an untimely setback, ruled out of the remaining fixtures against South Africa after developing concussion symptoms from a blow to the helmet grill in the second T20I.
Although Owen initially passed the on‑field concussion assessment, Cricket Australia later confirmed he began experiencing delayed symptoms, triggering the governing body’s strict 12‑day concussion protocol. The enforced lay‑off sidelines him from the final T20 and the entire three‑match ODI series, postponing what would have been his eagerly awaited ODI debut.
Injury Woes Pile Up for Australia
Owen’s absence compounds Australia’s selection headaches, with Matt Short and Lance Morris also missing from the ODI squad. Short, sidelined since the West Indies tour with a side strain that cost him five T20Is, has not recovered in time and will instead target full fitness for the domestic season. Morris has been sent back to Perth for assessment after reporting lower‑back soreness.
All‑rounder Aaron Hardie and left‑arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann — both currently part of the T20 squad — will remain with the team for the ODIs. Hardie comes off the back of a Champions Trophy squad call‑up, while Kuhnemann is set for his first ODI appearance in more than three years.
Josh Inglis, despite battling flu‑like symptoms, will continue to train with the squad.
Series Context
The final T20I will be followed by a three‑match ODI series on home soil, but with multiple first‑choice players unavailable, Australia will be leaning on depth, adaptability, and emerging talent to counter the Proteas challenge.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
