Follow UsAustralia has been plagued with many injuries, with Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc as the latest two who will sit out of the South African tour. Owing to the injuries, there will be as many as three debutants in the opening T20I against South Africa, with Spencer Johnson, Matthew Short, and Aaron Hardie set to make their first impression.
Despite the recall of Matthew Wade, Josh Inglis has been named as the wicketkeeper batter in the playing XI, with all-rounder Sean Abbott and pacer Nathan Ellis spearheading the bowling unit alongside the veteran Adam Zampa. At the top of the order, Travis Head is set to open alongside the impressive Short.
"It's probably come a little bit quicker than expected. He went through a lot of injury stuff earlier in his career," said Johnson's Redbacks captain Travis Head, who will open the batting with Short in the first T20I.
"Someone who bowls at high speed and can swing the new ball. He's done it over the last couple of tournaments now over the last couple of months.
"His body is good, he's bowling fast, so hopefully he can be that guy for us at the top of the bowling innings, similar to someone like Starcy for us who can be a match-winner with taking wickets."
Australia’s XI for first T20I: Matt Short, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson