Australia have suffered two injury setbacks in quick succession ahead of the third and final ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom, with fast bowler Nathan Ellis and left-arm spinner Joel Davies both confirmed unavailable for the match.
Ellis sustained a left side strain during the second ODI in Johannesburg, managing just four overs before being forced off the field. He did not return to complete his spell as South Africa went on to post 365 and seal the three-match series 2-0. According to ANI, Ellis will head back to Australia for further assessment and rehabilitation, hoping to recover in time for the home ODI series against England, which begins on November 13.
Davies, who travelled to South Africa as the squad’s second specialist spinner, did not feature in any match on the tour. He sustained a hamstring strain while fielding as a substitute during the same Johannesburg fixture and will now return home for rehabilitation before resuming domestic cricket with New South Wales. Australia have not named replacements for either Ellis or Davies ahead of Wednesday’s match in Potchefstroom.
How does Ellis’s injury fit into Australia’s broader pace concerns on tour?
Ellis’s side strain is not an isolated incident within this touring group. Billy Stanlake had already been ruled out with a similar injury during the second ODI in Zimbabwe, making Ellis the second Australian fast bowler to suffer a side strain on the trip. The recurrence underlines the physical demands placed on the pace attack across back-to-back series in contrasting conditions.
Ellis had been Australia’s standout bowler across the Zimbabwe and South Africa legs of the tour before his injury, making his absence a significant blow for the final match. No specific recovery timeline has been confirmed beyond the target of being fit for the England series in November, and no replacement has been named for the Potchefstroom fixture.
What is Australia’s squad situation for the final ODI and what other changes have been made to the touring group?
With Ellis and Davies unavailable, Australia enter the Potchefstroom match with four fit specialist fast bowlers. Pat Cummins is expected to return after missing the opening two ODIs, while Mitchell Starc is also likely to feature, having been rested for those matches. No decision has been announced on whether Inglis will be available for the Test series against South Africa, which is scheduled to begin on October 9.
Also Read: Anrich Nortje named in South Africa’s preliminary squad for Australia Test series
Separately, the Australia A squad currently touring India has also seen movement. Brendan Doggett, Fergus O’Neill and Campbell Kellaway are returning home to link up with their states ahead of the Sheffield Shield season. Sam Harper, Jhye Richardson and Liam Hatcher are set to feature in the second unofficial Test against India A in Puducherry, which got underway on Tuesday. Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland have been added to the Australia A one-day squad for three matches beginning next Tuesday, replacing Jack Edwards and Aaron Hardie.
