Australia have called up all-rounder Jack Edwards for the ODI series in South Africa, and have released Spencer Johnson from the touring party as part of workload management.
Johnson played two of the three ODIs against Zimbabwe and helped in the one-wicket win in the final game on Sunday, which completed a 3-0 sweep. Nathan Stanlake picked up a side injury in his fifth over of the second ODI.
The squad flew to South Africa on Monday. The ODI series begins in Durban on September 24, with the remaining matches in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom before attention turns to the Tests. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are expected to join for the South African leg.
Why Edwards?
Picking an all-rounder over a specialist quick is notable. Cameron Green missed the whole Zimbabwe series with a shoulder problem but has kept training on tour, and concerns over his availability have reportedly eased. With Cummins and Starc arriving, pace options will be plentiful, and Australia plan to manage the workloads of their multi-format quicks. Josh Hazlewood, for instance, played only one match in Zimbabwe.
Edwards’ background
Edwards has played T20Is for Australia, in the series against Pakistan earlier this year, but has no ODI cap. He was briefly added to the squad for last season’s series against India. When called up, he was with Australia A in India for the two-match four-day series against India A. He was recently replaced as New South Wales captain after the state said he wanted to focus on his own game.
Liam Scott takes over his No. 7 role for Australia A, Peter Handscomb will captain them in the first four-day match, and Nathan McSweeney can concentrate on his batting. Handscomb, 35, is hoping to stay in contention for the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January and February.
Johnson, who missed long periods with a back injury in 2025 and early 2026, will have his workload monitored and is expected to rest before the 50-over leg of the Australia A tour of India.
