Hobart, Aug 4 (NationPress) Mitchell Owen has announced his intention to leverage his T20I success as he gears up for his ODI debut with Australia later this month, following a remarkable start to his international career in the T20Is against the West Indies.

The 23-year-old cricketer has been a prominent addition to Australia’s revamped ODI team for the upcoming three-match home series against South Africa, scheduled to take place in Cairns and Mackay starting from August 19. This ODI series will follow a three-match T20I series against the same rivals in Darwin and Cairns, commencing next week. Owen has successfully retained his spot in the squad after a strong T20I debut, where he achieved scores of 50, 36*, 2, and 37 while batting at No. 6, concluding the series with an impressive strike rate of 192.30.

While Owen initially gained recognition as an opener in the BBL, it was his poised power-hitting during the middle and death overs in the recent Caribbean T20Is—coupled with his useful medium-pace bowling—that secured him a position in Australia’s ODI lineup. His inclusion comes as the team embarks on a new chapter, commencing preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, following the retirements of seasoned players Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis after the recent Champions Trophy.

Owen expressed that he hasn't been informed about his potential batting position in the forthcoming ODI series, but he emphasized that his mindset and aggressive approach at the crease will remain consistent with his standout performances in the Caribbean.

"Whether I am opening the batting or batting lower down the order, my approach will remain unchanged. I try to hit the ball, and when I think about 'defending', I tend to retreat into my shell, which isn't effective for me. So, I will maintain that same mentality," shared Owen.

Owen will reunite with the squad in Darwin on Wednesday after enjoying a rare opportunity to sleep in his own bed. Since April, he has participated in 26 T20 matches across five nations, including the PSL, IPL, and MLC, while also making his international debut.

Reflecting on his initial experience in the T20 franchise circuit, Owen noted that the journey has imparted significant lessons about his game. "I realized that I must establish my own process and training techniques to prepare for each match, as there are limited training opportunities to enhance my skills or experiment with new strategies," he explained.

"You need to be ready to compete every few days. I learned a lot about what I need to do to prepare. Additionally, with varying pitch conditions, you never know what to expect. However, having played in the subcontinent in Pakistan and India has been beneficial for adapting to the pitches in the MLC and the West Indies. It’s all part of the experience and knowledge I’ve been able to accumulate."