Australia’s Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc have been forced to withdraw from the upcoming white-ball series in South Africa due to injuries. However, both players are expected to stage a comeback during the Indian tour next month, following ailments incurred during the Ashes series in England.

Smith is presently tending to a wrist injury, while Starc is on the path to recovery from a groin soreness. These injuries were sustained amid the fervor of the Ashes series in England.

With regular captain Pat Cummins recovering from a fractured wrist, the reins of the white-ball squad will be handed to all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. The team is slated to participate in three one-day matches and five Twenty20 fixtures in South Africa.

Chief selector George Bailey explained the decision, citing the compacted schedule of the Ashes series and the World Test Championship. With the World Cup looming, the squad is adopting a cautious stance, ensuring that Smith and Starc are fully prepared for the upcoming tournament.

Smith and Starc are projected to rejoin the squad during the Indian tour next month. The strategy is to have them fully fit and available for the Indian ODI series and the World Cup warm-up match.

In light of Smith’s absence, Marnus Labuschagne has been included in the Australian ODI squad for the matches against his birthplace, South Africa. Additionally, with Starc sidelined, emerging left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, originally part of the T20 lineup, is now poised for a potential debut in both white-ball formats.