SYDNEY, Aug 19, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc have been
ruled out of Australia's white-ball tour of South Africa with injuries, but
are expected to be fit for the World Cup.

Cricket Australia said star batsman Smith had a tendon issue in his left
wrist and must wear a splint, while pace spearhead Starc was struggling with
groin soreness since returning from the Ashes series against England.

They will miss the three Twenty20s and five one-day internationals against
South Africa from August 30-September 17.

Chief selector George Bailey said they were taking "a conservative approach"
with the pair in the build-up to the ODI World Cup in India in October.

"With the World Cup the priority of the squad, it was determined on advice
that it was best for Steve and Mitchell to join the group in India," Bailey
said in a statement late Friday.

Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs against India before the World Cup
starts.

The T20 squad was already missing heavyweights Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green
and David Warner, who are all being rested after the gruelling Ashes
campaign.

Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins is another absentee as he recovers from a
fractured wrist. Cummins will join the squad for the ODI leg in South Africa
but was not assured of playing, Cricket Australia said.

Ashton Turner will replace Smith for the T20s and Marnus Labuschagne for the
ODIs.

Starc's absence opens the door for rapidly rising fellow left-arm quick
Spencer Johnson to remain with the squad for the rest of the tour after the
T20s.