Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Australia quicks Starc, Hazlewood to miss South Africa tour

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will miss the tour of South Africa to rest ahead of a busy international programme at home, Cricket Australia said on Friday.

Australia quicks Starc, Hazlewood to miss South Africa tour
(Reuters)

Captain Steve Smith was also sent home last week from Sri Lanka to rest before South Africa, where his side will play six one-day internationals, including one against Ireland, before returning home to face the Proteas in three tests in November.

"Both Mitchell and Josh have had big tours of Sri Lanka and have a heavy workload ahead of them with 10 tests to be played this summer," chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said in a statement.

"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.

"This also provides a good opportunity for some of our up-and-coming fast bowlers to push for selection."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Hazlewood will return to Australia from Sri Lanka immediately, Marsh said, and miss the final one-day match and the Twenty20 series.

Starc will remain with the team until the end of the tour.

Australia, who were hammered 3-0 in the test series in Sri Lanka, have wrapped up the one-day series with an unassailable 3-1 lead.

The final ODI is on Sunday in Kandy before two T20 matches.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Ian Ransom)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world