Australia vs South Africa: Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to be rested for South Africa series

Having toiled in the series against Sri Lanka, Australia has decided to give their pace attack the much needed break

Pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be rested for this month’s One-Day International series in South Africa, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Friday. Starc and Hazlewood would be stood down to allow them time to refresh ahead of the Australian summer season, CA said. “Mitchell and Josh have had big tours of Sri Lanka and have a heavy workload ahead of them with ten Tests to be played this (domestic) summer,” chief selector Rod Marsh said. “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.” FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI at Dambulla

Marsh added that this would serve as a good opportunity for up-and-coming fast bowlers to push for selection. Marsh said that with a number of bowlers returning from injury, it was important for the national team to continue to build up a battery of quality fast-bowlers. READ: George Bailey: Underrated yet undeterred campaigner for Australia

Earlier this week Australian paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile was ruled out for an indefinite spell after returning home early from the Sri Lanka ODI series with a serious back injury. CA said Hazlewood would return home immediately from the tour of Sri Lanka and Starc would remain with the side for the remaining ODI and two T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka.

The squad for the tour of South Africa will be named following the final ODI against Sri Lanka. The tour consists of one ODI against Ireland and five against South Africa, with the first match to be played against Ireland on September 27.

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