Australia injury crisis: Ellis, Davies out of third ODI vs South Africa
Synopsis
Australia's injury crisis in South Africa just got worse — fast bowler Nathan Ellis and spinner Joel Davies are both out of the final ODI, leaving the touring side with as few as 12 fit players. With Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc carrying the bowling load and the Test series starting 9 October, Australia's medical team faces a genuine race against time.
Key Takeaways
Nathan Ellis (side strain) and Joel Davies (right hamstring) have been ruled out of Australia's third ODI vs South Africa on Wednesday in Potchefstroom .
Bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards is being monitored for a hamstring issue but has travelled with the squad.
Billy Stanlake (side strain from Zimbabwe tour) and Josh Inglis (broken finger) are already out, leaving Australia with reportedly only 12 fit players .
Cameron Green is yet to bowl on the tour due to a persistent shoulder problem.
The Test series against South Africa begins on 9 October , adding urgency to Australia's fitness concerns.
Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland have been added to Australia's one-day squad for India, replacing Jack Edwards and Aaron Hardie.
Nathan Ellis and Joel Davies have been ruled out of Australia's third and final ODI against South Africa, to be played on Wednesday, 1 October 2026, as the touring side's injury list continues to mount in an already bruising white-ball campaign on African soil. The two exits leave the Aussies with reportedly no more than 12 fit players to choose from for the dead rubber.
How the injuries happened
Fast bowler Nathan Ellis — Australia's standout bowler on the African tour — sustained a side strain while bowling in the second ODI, which Australia lost by 32 runs. Left-arm spinner Joel Davies picked up a right hamstring injury at Johannesburg while performing substitute fielding duties in the same match.
The pair join a growing casualty list. Right-arm seamer Billy Stanlake is already managing a side strain sustained during Australia's preceding tour to Zimbabwe, while Josh Inglis broke his finger during the first ODI and has since returned home.
Edwards monitored, Green still not bowling
Bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards — who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the second ODI after arriving as cover for the injured Cameron Green — is also being monitored for a hamstring concern, although he did travel with the squad to Potchefstroom for the final match. No replacements have been named for the third ODI.
Green himself has yet to bowl on the entire tour owing to a persistent shoulder problem. Batsman Matt Renshaw shed light on the issue after the second match. 'He's been having a little trouble for a while with it, and unfortunately he just can't get much overarm when he needs it,' Renshaw said, adding: 'He's been doing a really good job for us. When his shoulder gets right, he'll be able to bowl as well.'
Cummins and Starc carry the bowling burden
With the pace stocks severely depleted, Australia will lean heavily on captain Pat Cummins and veteran left-armer Mitchell Starc to shoulder the bowling workload in Potchefstroom. The third ODI is a dead rubber — Australia trail the series — but the fitness picture has wider implications as the Test matches begin from 9 October.
Squad changes and Australia A update
Separately, Australia have also shuffled their Australia A squad touring India. Brendan Doggett, Fergus O'Neill, and Campbell Kellaway are heading home for the Sheffield Shield, with Sam Harper, Jhye Richardson, and Liam Hatcher having featured in the second unofficial Test against India, which got underway on Tuesday.
For the upcoming one-day leg, Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland have been added to the squad, replacing Jack Edwards and Aaron Hardie. With the Test series on the horizon, Australia's medical team will face a race against time to restore fitness across both squads.
Point of View
A spinner, a seam-bowling all-rounder all compromised simultaneously — raises questions about workload management ahead of a Test series that begins in under a fortnight. Ellis was their best bowler in the series; losing him while Green remains unable to bowl means Cummins and Starc now carry disproportionate loads into red-ball cricket. The decision not to name replacements for a dead rubber is pragmatic, but it delays answers about who is actually available for the Tests — which is the real prize of this tour.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Nathan Ellis and Joel Davies out of the third ODI?
Nathan Ellis sustained a side strain while bowling in the second ODI against South Africa, which Australia lost by 32 runs. Joel Davies picked up a right hamstring injury at Johannesburg while fielding as a substitute in the same match.
How many fit players does Australia have for the third ODI?
With multiple injuries piling up, Australia reportedly have only around 12 fit players available for the final ODI in Potchefstroom. No replacements have been named for the dead rubber.
What is Cameron Green's fitness status on the South Africa tour?
Cameron Green has not bowled at all during the South Africa tour due to a persistent shoulder problem. Teammate Matt Renshaw said Green 'can't get much overarm when he needs it' but has been contributing with the bat.
When does the Australia vs South Africa Test series start?
The Test series between Australia and South Africa is set to begin on 9 October, making the current injury pile-up a pressing concern for the touring side's management.
What changes have been made to the Australia A squad touring India?
Brendan Doggett, Fergus O'Neill, and Campbell Kellaway are returning home for the Sheffield Shield. Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland have been added to the one-day squad, replacing Jack Edwards and Aaron Hardie.
