Injured Smith, Starc eye return in India ODIs; to miss SA tour

Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc

Injured Australian stalwarts Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will miss the limited-overs tour of South Africa, but are expected to be fit for the ODI series in India ahead of the World Cup.

Australia captain Pat Cummins is recovering from a wrist fracture suffered during the Ashes in England, while Smith is nursing a tendon injury on his left wrist, which has sidelined him for four weeks, according to Cricket Australia.

Both will miss the three T20Is in South Africa from August 30 to September 3, which will be followed by five ODIs from September 7-17.

The pair will return for the three-match ODI series against India beginning September 22 along with left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who is also not in the squad for the South Africa series.

Starc, who played a crucial role in Australia's 2-1 ODI series victory against India in March, suffered "groin soreness" upon his return from the Ashes, where he also suffered a shoulder injury.

The three ODIs against India will be played on September 22, 24 and 27 at Mohali, Indore and Rajkot, respectively. They will serve as the Kangaroos' preparation for the World Cup beginning October 5.

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