Edwards added to Aussie squad, pace duo head home

Jack Edwards is in line to make his ODI debut after the allrounder was added to Australia's 50-over squad in South Africa, while fast bowlers Billy Stanlake and Spencer Johnson are heading home after the 3-0 series win over Zimbabwe.

Edwards is currently en route from Puducherry in India, where he had been preparing to play in the first four-dayer against India A beginning Tuesday, to Durban to join Australia's squad ahead of Thursday's first ODI against the Proteas.

Stanlake suffered a side strain midway through his fifth over during the second ODI against Zimbabwe and will have medical scans on his return to Australia. Johnson is not injured but was deemed surplus to requirements after playing two of the three matches in Harare.

Captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are linking up with the ODI squad in Durban, with Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett the other seam options for the three-match series that precedes the three Tests in South Africa.

Playing his first ODIs in 18 months, Johnson took two wickets and shared in a 27-run last-wicket partnership to win a thriller on Sunday against Zimbabwe. He is set to link up with the Australia A team for next month's three 50-over matches in Puducherry.

Edwards made his international debut in a T20I against Pakistan earlier this year. The seam-bowling, middle-order bat has not played at ODI level but was a late addition to the 50-over squad for last summer's matches against India.

The 26-year-old had modest returns in last season's domestic One-Day Cup (one runs from three innings and as many wickets from 21 overs).

But he hit a 75-ball 89 from No.8 in Kanpur against an India A attack led by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana in October last year, while also taking four wickets in two 50-over matches.

It gives Australia further cover with Cameron Green missing the entire Zimbabwe leg of their African tour with a sore shoulder, which the Australian camp insists is not serious enough to have him in doubt for next month's Tests.

Another uncapped allrounder Joel Davies, the left-arm spinner from New South Wales, could also be in the mix to make his debut.

In Zimbabwe, Australia relied on the spin of Matthew Renshaw, Ollie Peake, Cooper Connolly and Travis Head to make up the balance of their fifth bowler's overs.

Green could return for this week's ODIs in a series that also sees matches in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First ODI: September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa