Mitch Owen Ruled Out for Australia

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Owen has been ruled out of the T20 decider against South Africa in Cairns, along with next week’s ODI series due to concussion.

The Tasmanian was struck on the helmet after top-edging a 139km/h delivery from Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada during Tuesday’s second T20 in Darwin but continued batting after passing an initial on-field assessment by team medics.

Owen was eventually dismissed for 8 runs from just 13 deliveries as the tourists cruised towards a 53-run victory at Marrara Stadium.

Cricket Australia confirmed the 23-year-old suffered delayed concussion symptoms following his dismissal, meaning he will enter a mandatory 12-day stand-down and miss the remainder of the white-ball series.

He was a chance to make his ODI debut against the Proteas next week having earned a maiden 50-over national call-up.

West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly has replaced Owen in the ODI squad.

Elsewhere, Victorian batter Matthew Short and West Australian fast bowler Lance Morris will also miss the ODI campaign against South Africa due to injury, replaced in the squad by Aaron Hardie and Matthew Kuhnemann.